Henry Schein supports Forward2Employment open evenings

Henry Schein have proudly supported Forward2Employment by presenting to parents of young people with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) at two local events.

The open evenings, held on Monday 7th and Wednesday 9th March, provided an opportunity to share the positive impact internships can have on young people in boosting confidence, gaining valuable skills and finding a route into employment.

Our partnership with Forward 2 Employment has been in place since 2018 and we have so far welcomed three groups of interns into the business, resulting in seven fully supported internships. They have all worked in our distribution warehouse, helping with picking, packing and posting products to our customers.

Helen Stubbs, Senior HR Business Partner at Henry Schein, said: “Helping young adults into employment, and sponsoring those first career steps, is fundamental to helping the next generation achieve success, but we also recognise this can be even more difficult for young adults with SEND needs.

“Through Forward2Employment, we have been able to support local young people gain invaluable experience through our warehouse operations and provide life changing personal development. Each intern is a valued part of our working family and we are pleased to have welcomed two interns into permanent employment with us so far.”

Debbie Hatt, Operations Manager at Henry Schein, said: “It was a real pleasure to speak directly with the parents of young adults with SEND at the open evenings. We were able to tell of the incredible contributions that our interns have made to the business, their notable confidence boosts through working with us, as well as a few stories that relieved any anxiety parents may have had.

“It is a real privilege to support our interns as we have an opportunity to nurture and grow them as individuals, as well as learning from them ourselves which contributes towards business growth. We plan on supporting more interns in the future and were happy to discuss how we bring interns completely into our One Schein culture.”

Liz Halton, Head of Forward2Employment, said: “Henry Schein was our flagship partner business when we were first embarking on this journey and have really supported us in what we are endeavouring to provide for the young people of Kent and Medway.

“There has been a lot of learning on both sides, as a business and an education provider work in very different ways but Henry Schein have always been so open to suggestions and adapting for the young people. The experience the interns have received has been invaluable in supporting them on their way into employment. They have really been made to feel like part of the family."

On hand to present were Helen Stubbs (Senior HR Business Partner), Dean Knight (Engagement and Communications Officer), Debbie Hatt (Operations Manager) and Carol Corthine (Team Leader).

Forward2Employment works alongside Fortis Trust to support young people, with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND), in Medway and Kent to find permanent and purposeful employment.