As part of the Inclusive Employment Scheme, Leah McCartney from the Orchardville (SkillSET Programme) has been working as an IT Intern in the School of Psychology, IT Department. Orchardville supports people with learning disability or autism to live, learn and work. 

What is your job and what does it entail? 

I work as an IT intern, currently specialising in Game Development and Art at Queen's University! 

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

Most of my job involves working in coding and art, from making a game to designing its assets for the purposes of research. I've gained not only more IT skills but also an improved sense of coding, work planning and direction while working. I've also greatly improved my team working skills too, working in small groups with others also on the employment scheme. 

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

The idea of finally being able to work in the IT development scene was what originally attracted me to the job listing, not just as a side project or hobby but as something I could professionally show what I'd worked on! 

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

Honestly, the flexibility and understanding of the staff and work schedules is one of my favourite parts about working at Queens. There's no rush to fill out a sickness sheet if something unexpected happens and your team is usually more than happy to work with you through anything that does end up happening! It makes it so much less stressful and less tense to work. 

What do you hope to get out of the placement? 

Honestly just the experience alone from working would be wonderful to have after my placement but the current goal is to have something tangible- both a set of skills and an actual project to show what I’ve learnt. If you're someone similar or looking to sign up for the employment scheme I highly recommend that you do! 

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

Staff and workers are incredibly supportive and inclusive, and although at first you might feel tense, everything warms up really easily.

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

Don’t stress about it, and just go with what you enjoy first and focus on what you can use that love of the hobby to do! It's super easy to get into the flow of things once you do. 

Commenting on Queen's University Belfast's Inclusive Employment Scheme, Roisin Canavan, Employment Officer from Orchardville, said: 

"Leah is a SkillSET participant, who is currently supported by Orchardville. In November Leah commenced placement at Queens University, In the School of Psychology IT department.  

Leah has gained invaluable experience working within the IT department and is really enjoying the role to date. During Leah’s time to date at Queen’s she has predominantly focused on game development. Leah has also enjoyed getting to work as part of a team and believes the placement has helped her further develop her team working skills. 

Chris Brown and the entire School of Psychology IT department have supported Leah during her time at Queen’s, Leah feels at ease discussing her idea’s / thoughts regarding her work with the team – which is wonderful to see. 

The opportunity the inclusive employment scheme has offered Leah has been wonderful and I hope to support others gain work placements through the scheme in the future". 

Chris Brown, School IT Manager, School of Psychology Leah’s host from the scheme added 

"We were thrilled to have Leah join our IT team in October 2024. She has a clear aptitude for computing and loves programming and creative design. Her main project is in developing a gamified survey using PsychoPy, which will be used as a template for Psychology research by our students and staff. 

Leah is a pleasure to work with and brings warmth and positivity to everything she does. Any employer lucky enough to have her will gain an incredible asset, and she deserves to thrive in her chosen field. Psychology IT is a better team for having had her as a member and we are thankful for the opportunity the Inclusive Employment Scheme provides. 

To other Schools and departments considering the scheme, we sincerely encourage it. Our team is more adaptable, considerate, and positive for having taken part and there is a strong sense of fulfilment in being able to contribute to something important. We are thankful to the Diversity and Inclusion team for their hard work facilitating the scheme, making our role as hosts easy and being so supportive of our participants".

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.