As part of the Inclusive Employment Scheme, Alex Rowntree from the Cedar Foundation (SkillSET Programme) has been working as a Clerical and Administration Assistant in the School of Nursing & Midwifery. The Cedar Foundation supports individuals and families living with a disability, autism and brain injury to live the lives they choose. 

What is your job and what does it entail? 

My work placement at Queen’s University is in the Nursing and Midwifery Department, where I support the social media and events team in a clerical and administrative role. My responsibilities include sourcing products, liaising with suppliers via email, managing cost spreadsheets in Excel, and assisting with social media content and event planning. 

Can you describe the skills you have gained or improved during your placement? 

During my placement, I have significantly improved my proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Outlook. I have also become more confident in professional email communication and liaising with external vendors, which was something I had little experience with before. Additionally, I have developed better organizational and time-management skills while working in a fast-paced administrative setting. 

What attracted you to apply for the placement at Queen's? 

I was drawn to this placement because Queen’s University is a highly respected institution, and I saw this as a great opportunity to gain valuable experience in an administrative role. I was also particularly interested in the social media and events side of the position, as it aligns with my interests and career goals. Working in such a professional environment has given me insight into how large organizations operate, which is something I wanted to experience firsthand. 

What do you enjoy most about working for Queen's? 

One of the aspects I have enjoyed most is meeting new people and working in a professional environment. The role has been both engaging and educational, allowing me to learn how clerical and administrative work supports the social media and events team within the Nursing and Midwifery department. I’ve particularly enjoyed seeing how social media strategies are implemented in a large organization and how events are planned from start to finish. 

How has the support from Queen's staff and your Support Worker positively impacted your experience? 

The support I have received from Catherine Donaghy, my support worker, has been invaluable. She has been incredibly accommodating with my schedule and has ensured that I have everything I need to make the most of this experience. Additionally, the staff at Queen’s have been welcoming and supportive, making the transition into this role much easier for me. 

What do you hope to get out of the placement? 

I hope to gain practical work experience that will help me in future administrative roles. Additionally, I would love for this opportunity to lead to a paid position within Queen’s University or a similar organization. More importantly, I aim to develop my professional skills, confidence in workplace communication, and understanding of clerical work in a social media and events context. 

What advice would you give to others considering applying for the scheme? 

If you are struggling to find a suitable job or work experience, I would highly recommend applying. This placement has given me the chance to develop new skills, gain confidence in a professional setting, and work within a supportive team. It’s a great opportunity to explore different career paths and build valuable experience that could lead to future employment. 

Commenting on Queen's University Belfast's Inclusive Employment Scheme, Liz Palmer, Employment Officer, SkillSET, Cedar Foundation, said: 

“Alex is a participant in the SkillSET programme at Cedar Foundation Belfast, and since February has been on placement in Queen's University through their Inclusive Employment Scheme. 

 It has been great to see how Alex has really valued the opportunity to work on placement in Clerical and Administrative work in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queens MBC Building. 

Alex is well supported, and this has been a fantastic chance to gain work experience in a busy administrative setting, which will hopefully help build his CV and lead to further work opportunities”. 

Catherine Donaghy has been a supportive placement supervisor, and I would like to thank her for providing such an excellent opportunity for Alex. 

Catherine Donaghy, Administrator (Student Services), Alex’s QUB host from the scheme, added:  

“Alex commenced a one-day-a-week placement at the School of Nursing and Midwifery in February 2025. He joined during our peak recruitment period and quickly engaged in event planning, project management, the development of promotional materials, and web-related tasks. Throughout his time, Alex has accomplished a great deal and introduced fresh ideas and viewpoints to several of our processes. We have enjoyed having him at our School and wish him every success as he advances in his career”. 

About the Inclusive Employment Scheme at Queen's 

This is the seventh year of the Inclusive Employment Scheme at Queen's, which the University runs in conjunction with NIUSE (Northern Ireland Union of Supported Employment) and various disability organisations. The scheme aims to give individuals the opportunity to regain skills, learn new skills and enhance their employment opportunities. 

The placements range from clerical roles to operational and technical work and span a range of Schools and Directorates. 

If you would like further information about the Inclusive Employment Scheme at Queen's, please contact Leeann Matchett in the Diversity, Inclusion and Staff Wellbeing Unit: leeann.matchett@qub.ac.uk.