DFN Project SEARCH Appoints New Chief Executive

National charity DFN Project SEARCH has appointed Kirsty Matthews as its new Chief Executive.

The charity provides transition to employment support to young people with a learning disability and/or autism spectrum diagnosis through year-long supported internship programmes.

Over the past five years, DFN Project SEARCH has grown to work with more than 140 organisations across the UK, supporting over 2,600 interns into employment, with 60% of graduates securing full-time permanent roles. 

Kirsty will take up her new role at the start of the new school year in September, when there are expected to be around 200 programmes operating with over 1400 young people on their supported internships.

“I am extremely proud to join DFN Project SEARCH at such an exciting time of growth for the organisation,” said Kirsty, (pictured above), who has held a variety of senior leadership roles in both public and private organisations within the disability, health and care sectors.

“Young people with a learning disability or an autism spectrum diagnosis are just as talented and eager to work as their peers. They deserve access to the same opportunities. Helping them secure their best chances in life - and raising expectations in general - is a mission I will embrace wholeheartedly as the Chief Executive of DFN Project SEARCH.”

DFN Project SEARCH is poised for a new chapter of growth and impact, having recently launched its new Don’t Stop Me Now campaign, which challenges the stereotype that people with learning disabilities don’t want to work and encourages employers to utilise the untapped potential of this willing and able group of workers.

To find out more visit https://www.dfnprojectsearch.org/