Thomas Pemberton - Movement to Work Youth Summit

Since taking part in The Prince’s Trust Get into Hospital Services programme, in partnership with East Lancashire Hospitals Trust (ELHT) in February 2017, Thomas Pemberton’s career and life have really taken off. 
After completing the four-week pre-employment programme, Thomas was offered a position working part-time in the laundry department at Royal Blackburn Hospital. Six months later he was offered a substantive full-time role. ​​He has flourished as an employee and has also become a mentor producing a ‘my journey’ poster telling his story to help encourage other young people.

His most recent achievement was being invited to speak at the Movement to Work Youth Summit at the Houses of Parliament on the 12th November 2019. This exciting event was attended by senior heads of leading UK businesses and corporate leaders, all keen to hear the views of young people regarding youth employment. Thomas was an active participant during the summit, contributing to the topic discussion on providing further support to young people in gaining a meaningful career in the NHS

Thomas' Visit to London and the Houses of Parliament 
Thomas was accompanied by his mum, Greg Plummer – Get into Programme Executive at The Prince’s Trust – and Gillian Cairns – Education and Workforce Lead for ELHT. The Churchill Room was set out with five tables, each representing a particular sector – retail, customer service, hospitality, digital, healthcare, public sector, manufacturing, engineering and construction. The meeting started at 4pm and Thomas was sat on a table comprising mostly of more senior adults, with just one similar aged young adult. Greg, Gill and his mum were allowed to sit nearby. When Thomas got his chance to speak, he spoke confidently and eloquently. The discussion lasted around 30 minutes, followed by the Chairs of each table giving an overview of feedback.
 
Greg Plummer, Get into Programme Executive at The Prince’s Trust, said:
​"Knowing Thomas’ background story as I do so well, it’s hard to quantify in words what the day meant for Thomas and his mum. It’s fair to say Gill and I were moved by what we saw and heard. It’s needless to say that, since starting the programme in February 2018, Thomas’ journey with The Trust and ELHT shows how far we have come since delivering our first programme together in 2017 and showcases our fantastic partnership."
 
In just over eighteen months Thomas has gone from being an at-risk homeless young person to a mature employed young man and an outstanding role model for both The Trust and ELHT, and the Movement to Work organisation.

​Greg Plummer, Get into Programme Executive at The Prince’s Trust, said:
​"Knowing Thomas’ background story as I do so well, it’s hard to quantify in words what the day meant for Thomas and his mum. It’s fair to say Gill and I were moved by what we saw and heard. It’s needless to say that, since starting the programme in February 2018, Thomas’ journey with The Trust and ELHT shows how far we have come since delivering our first programme together in 2017 and showcases our fantastic partnership."
 
In just over eighteen months Thomas has gone from being an at-risk homeless young person to a mature employed young man and an outstanding role model for both The Trust and ELHT, and the Movement to Work organisation.