A Southampton hospital is celebrating Neurodiversity Awareness Week with five new neurodiverse interns.

The college students, who have a learning disability, autism spectrum conditions, or both, have been given an opportunity to gain valuable, paid work experience at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton, within Royal South Hants NHS hospital.

The partnership between the hospital, Hampshire College Group, the charity DFN’s Project SEARCH, and Southampton City Council Young Adults Employment Hub is part of a one-year transition-to-work programme designed to give the young adults a taste of working life, work experience that will help them get a job, and an opportunity to be employed at the hospital.

Now seven weeks into a 24-week placement, the interns, aged between 18 and 23, are thrilled with the experience they have gained so far.

Currently, five interns are being supported in gaining valuable hospital work experience in roles including data input, medical record management, portering, stores, and sterile services.

Charlie Richards, 20, who is working in the theatre's sterile servicing unit, said: "This opportunity has shown me I can get a job.

"This is a job like I have never done before; it’s changed my perspective of a hospital and how it works."

Fellow intern Iwan Kilroy, 23, who is working in stores, added: "I love it.

"I’ve settled in well.

"I am now working more independently in a very supportive team."

Lorna Cantwell, lead job coach at South Hampshire College Group, said: "The opportunity has been a wonderful experience so far.

"An outstanding opportunity for students to gain the experience into a paid role, within a hospital setting in various departments.

"The induction was the best ever.

"The staff have made us all feel so welcome."

Sherry McBain ARRC, head of nursing and clinical services at the hospital, said: "It’s been a learning curve for all involved, and the benefits are mutual and significant.

"From a personal perspective, seeing the growth in confidence and capability has been inspiring and heart-warming."

Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton, treats private and NHS patients and specialises in hip and knee surgery, hernia treatment, and cataract surgery.