Autistic and partially deaf student gains work placement with MP in Westminster

An autistic and partially deaf student is spending the next month at the heart of British politics working for a Member of Parliament.

Lucy Mazur, 21, began a two-day a week work placement at the parliamentary office of Kate Green MP at Portcullis House in Westminster on 13 November.

The placement is part of a Supported Internship programme at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL), which secured the placement with support from learning disability charity Mencap.

During her placement, Lucy will be meeting and greeting visitors, sorting post and emails, attending meetings, undertaking research, making videos and working on social media campaigns.

She said: “I feel very privileged working for an MP. She is a very important person, so this is very special to me.

“I am looking forward to learning more about politics and working on the computer and developing my admin skills, and hope after this I will be able to do other great jobs and have other opportunities in many places.”

Ms Green has been MP for Stretford and Urmston in Greater Manchester since 2010 and was Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities from September 2015 to June 2016.

She said: “I know how hard it is for young disabled people to get employment and get the work experience which means they are more likely to get jobs in the future.

 “It’s really important to me that everybody gets treated equally and gets the same chances to prosper, thrive and fulfil their potential, and that people should have the right to work if they are able to.

“I hope Lucy enjoys her time here and finds it exciting and interesting. We’re going to have her doing lots of things, and we’re really proud to have her here.”

Lucy is also carrying out another two-day placement at an office of housing association One Housing in Tottenham and studying Functional Skills in English and maths at CONEL.

In 2016/17 she undertook a placement with the British Red Cross, during which she addressed 500 young people about volunteering at a conference in York, and later spoke about her own experience to senior executives from the charity at its head office in Moorgate.

CONEL’s range of Supported Learning courses and programmes give students with learning disabilities the chance to gain more independence and work and life skills.

Thea Charles, Supported Learning Job Coach, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for Lucy and proves to other people with learning difficulties that anything is possible, as long as you show confidence and you’re willing to learn.

“Kate is a champion for people who face barriers whether its inequalities, disabilities or some other disadvantage, so it’s great she’s been supportive of helping our students grow.”

Call 020 8442 3055 or click here for more information about Supported Learning courses at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).