Four young people have completed the year-long Supported Internship programme run by Bedford Borough Council in partnership with Bedford College and a range of local employers, with a graduation ceremony held at The Bedford Sixth Form on Bromham Road.
Recognition at civic event
The ceremony saw Sophie Plummer, Jonah Fielden, Ewan Hartup and Cosmo Peduto receive certificates from the Mayor of Bedford, Tom Wootton, and the council’s Service Director for Education, SEND & Schools, Chris Morris. The interns and their families later joined an afternoon tea following the presentation.
“It’s always a special moment to see our Supported Interns complete this journey. They have grown not just in their skills but in confidence and maturity. They deserve so much credit and should be so proud of themselves. I look forward to seeing where they go next!”
“All of our interns have been through their own journey, and they have all shown how special each of them is.”
Placements and outcomes
The programme places young people into paid and unpaid work settings with employer support, enabling practical on-the-job learning alongside tailored education and support. Details given at the ceremony indicate a variety of placements and achievements for the four interns.
- Sophie Plummer — completed the internship and has moved into paid employment following the programme.
- Jonah Fielden — undertook placements that included taking part in children's Rhyme Time at the Library, demonstrating confidence in public-facing roles.
- Ewan Hartup — worked at Munch & Mocha, quickly becoming competent on the till and going on to help train other staff.
- Cosmo Peduto — placed at Robinson Pools & Fitness, where he carried out gym safety checks, produced social media content and designed event posters.
| Intern | Placement | Notable outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Sophie Plummer | - | Moved into paid employment after internship |
| Jonah Fielden | Library (Rhyme Time) | Developed public-facing skills |
| Ewan Hartup | Munch & Mocha | Operated till independently; trained others |
| Cosmo Peduto | Robinson Pools & Fitness | Gym safety checks; social media; poster design |
Local impact and context
Supported Internships are aimed at helping young people with SEND make the transition into work by combining practical placements with tailored support. The involvement of council services, a local college and employers highlights a collaborative approach to widening employment opportunities within Bedford.
The council’s public acknowledgement of the interns at a civic event underlines the importance placed on inclusive employment pathways and the role local businesses and services play in providing meaningful placements.
For families and young people in Bedford considering similar routes, the event demonstrates how supported, employer-linked programmes can lead to increased confidence and, in at least one case, paid work. Those seeking further information about Supported Internships or local SEND employment support should contact Bedford Borough Council or Bedford College directly for current programme details and referral routes.
The council and college partnership remains a key local resource for ensuring young people with additional needs access vocational experiences that can form a stepping stone to sustained employment.
