An intern being supported by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has won a WOW! Award, celebrating his achievements during a year-long placement with the Trust.
Josh Goddard is working with Hampshire Hospitals through Project Choice, a programme which aims to bridge the gap that people with learning disabilities, learning difficulties and /or autism often experience between education and employment.
21 year old Josh is one of 10 Project Choice interns at Hampshire Hospitals gaining experience of a working environment and helping them to develop confidence, independence and transferable skills to take forward into the future.
As well as learning new skills and taking on new responsibilities, the Project Choice interns face other challenges, such as talking to new people or travelling to a new area. As described in the winning nomination, these are all things that Josh overcame to become an outstanding member of the stores team.
The nomination, submitted by Josh’s Project Choice mentor, Mark Wilks, said: “This young man has surpassed all expectations. He regularly moves stores around the hospital, delivering to the wards and units. At all times, Josh has a smile on his face and no matter how difficult he finds daily challenges, he always has a happy demeanour.”
Josh has made quite the impression on staff around Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester where he works, with the nomination adding: “Numerous staff have commented what a 'thoroughly nice, hardworking chap' Josh is. He truly is an ambassador for Project Choice and we should all be proud of his achievements, but most of all Josh should be proud.”
Steve Erskine, chairman of the Trust, was joined by chief executive Alex Whitfield and members of the Project Choice team to present Josh with his award. Josh’s parents were also invited to watch the surprise award presentation take place.
Josh said: “It’s really surprising to have won an award, but I am so happy. I really enjoy coming to work every day, it helps me to meet new people and think about my future. Everyone I have met has been so supportive and kind.”
WOW! Awards are a national staff recognition programme which 
celebrate the ways staff go above and beyond to deliver an outstanding service and patient care. Nominations can be made by patients, family members or other members of staff and are shortlisted nationally before the winners are chosen by the Trust’s governors. Hampshire Hospitals receives over 300 WOW! Award nominations each month.
Steve Erskine, chairman of Hampshire Hospitals which runs hospitals in Andover, Basingstoke and Winchester, said: “We are so proud to be one of just 10 Trusts across the country taking part in the Project Choice programme run by Health Education England, and it has been a pleasure to watch all of our interns grow over the last year to become valuable members of our team.
“Josh has really embodied our CARE values and has worked exceptionally hard during his time with us and is incredibly deserving of this award – well done Josh.”
Hampshire Hospitals CARE values are centred on staff continually showing compassion, being accountable, showing respect and encouraging each other – all of which Josh has exemplified during his supported internship.
The interns are spending the academic year working alongside hospital staff in a variety of clinical and non-clinical roles, including working with teams in speciality medicine administration, the discharge lounge and support services across all three hospital sites.
