Bolster Community, in partnership with St Paul’s High School is celebrating the success of a recent employer engagement initiative that has created a meaningful and inclusive work experience opportunity for young people in the Greater Newry Area, preparing to leave school.
Through the programme, Bolster Community partnered with sportswear brand, Playr-Fit to provide a six-week work experience placement for Oisín, a student of school-leaving age with special educational needs. As part of the initiative, Oisín joined the Playr-Fit team one day a week, spending each Tuesday gaining valuable hands-on experience in a real working environment.
During his placement, Oisín worked closely with the company’s graphic design team where he got involved in a variety of creative projects. His work included helping to design jerseys, contributing ideas for social media graphics, and more recently creating a comic-style illustration that tells the story of what Playr-Fit does.
The experience has been positive for everyone involved. While the initiative aims to give young people valuable workplace exposure as they prepare for life after school, the Playr-Fit team say they gain just as much from Oisín’s presence.
“Oisín has become a real character in the office,” said a member of the Playr-Fit team. “Every Tuesday the energy lifts when he arrives. He’s incredibly creative and enthusiastic about the projects he’s involved in and it’s been fantastic watching his confidence grow.”
Oisín has quickly become part of the team culture. Earlier this month, the office celebrated his birthday together – a moment that perfectly captured his thoughtful personality. Not only did he make sure everyone in the office had cake, he also kept some aside to bring home.
Speaking with the team, Oisín has shared how much he enjoys coming into Playr-Fit each week and being part of the creative process.
Bolster Community hopes the initiative highlights the importance of inclusive employer engagement and the role businesses can play in supporting young people with additional needs as they transition from school into the workplace. The organisation is encouraging other businesses to get involved and consider offering similar opportunities.
Playr-Fit strongly recommends that other companies take part in initiatives like this, highlighting how rewarding the experience has been for staff and the wider workplace culture.
By connecting schools, students and employers, Bolster Community aims to create opportunities that build confidence, develop skills and benefit both young people and the organisations that welcome them.
For more info on Bolster Community, please visit:
www.bolstercommunity.org