Natalie: An interview with Hadiqa

A look back at Natalie's interview with Hadiqa, who was a learner on our supported internship programme last year.

I went to Barnet to visit our Supported Internship group there and to interview one of our learners. Her name is Hadiqa and she has recently started a very interesting work placement at Guinness World Records . I interviewed her about how things are going in her placement and her experience on the supported internship so far.?

Tell us a bit about yourself, what are your favourite things to do??

I love shopping. I especially like shopping for nice jewellery, but I enjoy any kind of shopping. My favourite place to shop is Asda!?

How did you find out about Mencap and the supported internship??

Mencap came to my college one day and advertised the supported internship programme. I thought it sounded very interesting, so I applied.

I found out about the programme when I was at school too! We were discussing my next steps and somebody mentioned Mencap and the supported internship to me, so I applied. What have you been learning about in Mencap’s classes and how are you finding it so far??

I’m really enjoying it so far. I have learned about CV writing, interviews and money management. It is not too difficult for me and it is really useful. I have most enjoyed the session we had on how to plan my journey. I can’t use public transport much at the moment because I get scared around lots of people I don’t know. But, I hope to be able to use public transport a bit more in the future.?

I also couldn’t use the tube before the supported internship and was scared to go on it. I was extremely scared of the northern line because it splits, and I used to worry about missing my stop, but now because of the skills I learnt before my placement, I feel comfortable going on the tube and not scared at all.? What kind of work do you want to do in the future??

I would like to work in an office in the future. I like working on computers, so I thought maybe I could do something like admin.?

Tell us about your current work experience placement.?

I’m working in an office at Guinness World Records who find out about all the records people are breaking around the world and put them in a book.

It’s a small team and I mostly meet with people online. I am going into the office, but they are teaching me there how to use the video calls system myself. I was a little bit scared to go into the office at first because of Covid, but I always use a mask which makes me feel more comfortable. Everyone I have met is very friendly and I feel really welcome there.?

What does a normal day in your placement look like?

I am currently observing what certain people in the company do. In particular, I have been shadowing my manager. They check other people’s work to make sure their writing is good. They are checking things that are being written for the new Guinness Book of World Records and they have asked me to check some things for it too. I like reading a lot, so I have enjoyed this work.?

I have been told that I am going to be credited in the next book! I was given a free copy of the current book when I first interviewed at the company and now I can’t wait to get another copy with my name in it!?

What do you enjoy most about your placement???

The people. I feel very comfortable around them.?

What’s your favourite world record??

My favourite world record I have read about is the world’s tallest man and the world’s shortest man! I also liked finding out about the person with the most tattoos and piercings!?

I even got to meet a record holder. I met the person who holds the record for solving a Rubik's cube in the fastest time!?

If you would like to learn more about our supported internship programme, please visit our website: https://www.mencap.org.uk/advice-and-support/employment