Willow Green pupil's internship at Renovation Station

William Iphofen has been working at the Renovation Station since March as part of his college course and since being there, he has felt ‘valued’.

The 21-year-old is currently on a supported internship programme which is delivered through the charity Willow Green which is a specialist education provider for those aged between 19 and 25.

To get on to the programme pupils must have additional needs. And within the programme there is a study element where students work towards a City and Guilds award.

William hard at work with a colleague

When William, who is from Great Sankey, started at the college in September, he was adamant that the only place he wanted to do a work placement was Sainsbury’s in Chapelford as this is where he went shopping with his mum so knew the layout.

But tutors at Willow Green have worked hard with William over the course of the year to try and expand his horizons and help him to understand the number of skills that he has to offer employers.

Eventually, William agreed to look at a job placement somewhere else and when a tutor found out about the Renovation Station, he knew William would fit in well due to his attention to detail and because of how artistic he is.

“He started in March 2022 and within a couple of weeks it was as if he had been there forever,” said the college’s business manager Claire Perrin.

Willow Green pupil William with the college's business manager Claire Perrin

And since starting the internship, William’s tutors have noticed incredible changes in him – in terms of his communication, confidence, self-esteem and determination.

They described him as being ‘like a different person’.

“Working at the Renovation Station has made me feel valued and I am more confident,” said William.

“I really like my job and I am learning new skills.

“I want to say thank you to the team at Renovation Station for giving me a chance to work there.”

During his internship, which is three days a week, William helps to restore shoes to make sure they look brand new and soft. He also helps to clean the soles and to lace them and is also good at rubbering.

He added: “I am finding it really good here.

“I like it because I am good with rubbering the shoes and being organised and tidying things up and putting them in order.

“I’m also good at fixing shoes as I’m good with fixing things.

“I was taught all of the skills on the job, I didn’t know anything before.

“And I was a bit nervous beforehand as I didn’t know what to do.”

The Renovation Station team

Before William’s placement ends in July, he would like to learn how to paint the shoes at the shop as his hobbies include art and specifically painting.

The team at Renovation Station have been ‘brilliant’ with the support they have given to William, says Claire.

She added: “His employer has been amazing in terms of supporting him and helping us to support William during his work placement.

“Renovation Station have been amazing with the support they have given William – taking the time to teach him new skills and being very patient with him.

“There is also a bonus for them having a fully inclusive workforce and they have seen the benefits of having William working there as the attention to detail is giving them and their products even more kudos because he is doing such a great job.”

For the business, this is the first time they have had an intern working in the shop. And owner Steven White says he has learnt a lot himself just from hiring William.

William is 'like a different person' after starting his work placement

Steven said: “We set William a job and he just cracks on and gets really in to it.

“I think some people are so easy to disregard anyone with autism, and we were potentially one of them.

“But with his knowledge and skills he has definitely helped us.

“I would definitely encourage other businesses to support Willow Green’s internship programme.

“It has opened our eyes as much as anything and we have seen him grow in confident.”

Steven said after hiring William, the business will continue to support other students in the future.

Willow Green currently has vacancies for the supported internship programme in September 2022.

The charity also has plans for an exciting new project for a new internship programme working with Warrington Hospital.

To find out more about the specialist college, visit here.

The 21-year-old works three days a week