Three interns from Calico’s Project SEARCH programme recently had the chance to do something pretty special.
Alongside tutors Sarah Moorhouse and Maria Bolton, Louis Fairclough, Liam Johnson, and Joseph Hindle travelled to London to take part in the National SEND Youth Parliament, giving them the opportunity to share their experiences and ideas with national decision-makers. By speaking directly to people in positions of influence, the interns were helping highlight real barriers faced by disabled young people and push for more inclusive routes into work.
For Liam and Joseph, it was also their first ever time in London, which made the whole trip even more exciting.
The group travelled down on Sunday 22 March and made the most of the day by exploring the city. They visited the Imperial War Museum, took in the views from the London Eye, and watched the Royal Guards outside Buckingham Palace. They even rode on the underground, something completely new for them. Staying overnight in a hotel without parents was another big milestone and a real step forward in building independence.
On Monday morning, they were welcomed by a member of Oliver Ryan MP’s team who gave them a tour of Parliament. They walked through Westminster Hall, saw the House of Commons, and were able to get a sense of how decisions are made at the highest level.
The main event took place later that day at Portcullis House, where the National SEND Youth Parliament brought together young people with SEND from across the country. The interns had the chance to hear from figures including Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Angela Rayner MP, Dame Diana Johnson, and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson. The speakers encouraged the young people in the room to get involved in politics and highlighted how important diverse representation is.
A big part of the day focused on the barriers disabled young people face when trying to move into work. Louis spoke up and shared his own experience of wanting to work in the rail industry, and the challenges he’s come up against during the recruitment process. It took confidence to stand up and talk about something so personal, and he represented himself, and Project SEARCH, brilliantly.
The whole trip was more than just a visit to London. It was a chance for the interns to grow in confidence, develop independence, and have their voices heard on a national stage. It also showed the importance of creating real opportunities for young people with SEND to share their experiences and influence the systems that affect them.
Sarah and Maria said they couldn’t be prouder of how well the interns represented themselves, the programme, and their community. The group returned home tired but inspired, and more confident about what they can achieve next.
