On Wednesday 16 July, the Choices College Class of 2025 came together to celebrate their graduation at a special event held in the Education Centre at Darlington Memorial Hospital.
Choices College is a specialist further education provider offering tailored support and a supported internship programme for young adults aged 16–24 with learning difficulties, disabilities and/or Autism.
Since 2017, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has proudly partnered with Choices College to provide meaningful placement opportunities and help open pathways into employment.
Over the last academic year, ten students took part in the programme, with eight expressing a strong interest in working within an NHS environment.
Their placements were spread across our Trust, including MRI reception, CPU, Hollies, linen services, ward hostess roles and domestic services at Darlington Memorial Hospital, as well as portering at University Hospital of North Durham and reception in the outpatients department at Bishop Auckland Hospital.
We were particularly excited to welcome new placement areas this year, including MRI and the Outpatients department reception – expanding the breadth of experience available to our students.
The graduation event was a wonderful celebration of each student’s journey, providing the opportunity to reflect on their personal development and hear about their next steps.
Many of the students have grown in confidence and gained valuable skills over the past year, with two graduates successfully gaining bank contracts with the Trust – one with Hollies and another with the domestic services team.
We’d like to extend our warmest congratulations to the Class of 2025 – and to thank all the teams across the Trust who have supported placements and created welcoming, inclusive environments where students can thrive.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with Choices College and to welcoming next year’s students soon.