Young interns gain skills and confidence to build their careers on placement with Bellway Wales

Two young graduates with neurodivergent conditions have gained the skills and confidence to kickstart their careers after completing internships with Bellway Wales.

Ella Griffiths and Lewys Evans, who both graduated this summer, embarked on three-month placements with the Cardiff-based housebuilder as part of the Change 100 programme.

The scheme, which is run by Ability Pathways Community Interest Company, matches university students and recent graduates who have a disability or long-term condition with progressive employers.

The pair spent time in the sales, customer care and commercial departments during their paid internships, completing a range of tasks and projects to support the business.

Ella, 22, from Cardiff, is considering applying for a place on Bellway’s graduate scheme after developing an interest in quantity surveying during her placement, while Lewys, 22, from Merthyr Tydfil, is planning to use the skills he has gained during his internship to apply for a range of office-based roles.

Ella, who has dyslexia and dyspraxia, discovered the Change 100 scheme after searching for companies which offered opportunities specifically for neurodivergent people, having previously struggled with the application process due to her condition.

She said: “It has sometimes been difficult to get extra time on the online tasks and I have gone to interviews when I have asked for the questions ahead of time and not received them. What was really good about Change 100 was that I was given a link beforehand. It was a really supportive onboarding process.”

Having graduated with a degree in philosophy, politics and economics from Queen’s University Belfast, Ella was keen to do something involving economics. She particularly enjoyed her time in the commercial department and is staying with the team for a further three months after her placement was extended.

She said: “The internship with Bellway has been really enjoyable and everyone in the office has been so supportive. It’s been really interesting to see the different departments and how they work together. I’ve particularly enjoyed working with the quantity surveyors and seeing how the numbers on a spreadsheet translate into new homes being built.

“The internship has really opened my eyes and I will definitely be looking at Bellway’s graduate scheme. It’s helped me to realise that I learn best by doing things myself rather than listening to instructions. I’ve definitely got more confidence and feel more capable.”

Lewys, who has dyslexia and autism, graduated this summer with a degree in English and creative writing from the University of South Wales. He discovered Change 100 after speaking to a careers advisor about schemes to support neurodivergent people getting into work.

Although he didn’t know exactly what role he wanted to do, he was keen to apply the analytical skills he had learnt during his degree.

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed my internship with Bellway and feel like I have contributed to the company. The people here have been absolutely brilliant. Everybody has been so accommodating with my dyslexia and autism – whether that’s talking more slowly or repeating things. It’s a great environment.

“This internship has completely changed my perception of the working world and given me a great insight into the opportunities that are available. The variety of skills I have learned has filled up a page on my CV and I feel a lot more confident.

“I would be interested in working for Bellway in the future. They are a brilliant company. But for the time being, I am going to use the skills I have gained to apply for a range of jobs. I’m open to all opportunities but this has given me a taste for an office job. It’s been a great head start in my career.”

Daniel Shone, Head of Sales at Bellway Wales, said: “As an inclusive employer which is committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce and recruiting people from a wide range of backgrounds, we are proud to be part of the Change 100 programme.

“Ella and Lewys have been a breath of fresh air and we have really enjoyed having them as part of the team. They have brought different skills which we have been able to tap into and have both made a significant contribution to the business. We have been particularly impressed by how committed they have been to learning about the different departments and how well they have integrated into the Bellway family in Wales.”

Bellway Wales is building new homes across South Wales, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. For more information, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/wales/.

To find out more about career opportunities and work placements with Bellway, go to https://bellwaycareers.co.uk/.
 

Visit Bellway

Visit Ashberry homes