'New SEND centre has grown my confidence so much'

Georgia said she felt like a different person since joining the scheme

When Georgia went to look around a mainstream college after leaving school, she quickly realised it was not for her.

The 19-year-old, from Derby, recalls feeling overwhelmed by the amount of people there and the sheer size of the building as she tried to find the classrooms.

Instead she opted to join Transition2, a scheme that prepares young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) for the future and includes a range of supported workplace internships.

Struggling with her confidence and self-esteem when she first arrived, Georgia said she now "feels like a different person" as she works toward gaining employment.

Young people can take part in workplace internships with a number of partner companies

Georgia spoke to the BBC at the official launch of the Friar Gate Studios Skills Centre in Ford Street, where Transition2 is now based following its move from Littleover earlier this year.

She and others from the scheme worked at the centre's cafe serving canapes to guests including Derby City Council leader Nadine Peatfield.

The facility forms part of a £24m council investment in SEND education and opportunities. It was set up following appeals for a specialist space in the city from SEND students and their parents.

Transition2 is among several services based there with supported internships organised through partners including Severn Trent, Asda, Rolls-Royce, Derby Museums and the NHS.

Several services are based at the new centre

"I felt this place would be better for me because there is less people and there's more support," Georgia said.

"I think if I went somewhere else, I'd be more nervous but now I've come here, It's better because I do get help.

"I was struggling with my confidence and self-esteem but being here, it's built it up so much, I'm a lot more confident now.

"I'm getting to know new people and getting support alongside them. If I'm unsure about anything I feel like I can ask the staff for help when I'm using equipment I've never used before, things like that."

Young people from the programme made and served canapes to guests at the launch

Georgia said her stint working at the Glow & Grow cafe kitchen at the centre had ignited a passion for catering.

"It's been really good," she said. "I'm interested in getting a job in the area of catering because it's been something I've wanted to do because I love making cakes.

"Cooking makes me happy and it makes me feel like I'm doing something good for people."

Her plan now is to secure a job so she can become more independent in the future.

"When I get set a job, whether that's in the cafe or in the workshop, I just get on with it," she said.

"I'm a hard worker. If I'm unsure about a task, I feel confident to ask for help. I aim to be responsible for myself and to [get better] with times and get a work placement.

"I want to work my way up, not to rush myself but I would one day like to own a business."

Georgia said she would encourage people to come to the centre if they felt mainstream higher education was not for them.

"You'll get the support you need, you'll build your confidence, then you can have less support when you work your way up and hopefully get a job you want to go into," she said.

Simon Hancox said he wanted to help young people find work opportunities

Transition2's head of service Simon Hancox said: "The main goal is to improve life opportunities and outcomes for young people with SEND.

"The emphasis is moving people into work, helping them to build the confidence, positive mindset and that's something that may have been lacking in the past.

"The great thing about this place is that it's a dynamic mix of education, aspiration and commercial businesses all under one roof.

"The key to that is education needs to lead to work - whether you have a diagnosis of autism or have learning difficulties, the expectation should be you'll be an active citizen and entering the world of work."

Mr Hancox said the support also focused on building relationships and helping young people become independent on public transport.

"A lot of our young people want to do what their mainstream peers do," he said.

"So the advantage of our programme and our set-up is we can tailor our programmes to the individual where that will differ in a mainstream setting."