Teenager shines during internship at furniture company

A 19-year-old who is part of a supported internship scheme for people with additional needs has been hailed for his progress at a furniture company.

Warwick Bourton, who is gaining work experience with Bicester-based Oxford Office Furniture, impressed when his internship supervisors visited him for a workplace progress report by selling them a couple of office chairs.

Kay Thomas, from Oxford Office Furniture, said: “I couldn’t believe it, there I was giving one of the county council’s employment team an update on how Warwick’s settling in, then out of the corner of my eye I notice him shaking the hand of their colleague.

“Next thing, he’s helping them load two chairs into the back of their car. It made me laugh and also very proud.

“We were confident this placement would work, however, seeing him using his initiative like that showed what a great decision we made in supporting the council’s internship scheme.”

The internship at the family company was arranged through Oxfordshire County Council, which runs a scheme for people with additional needs.

It works with individuals to understand their skills, and help them to find and maintain a job that suits them.

For Mr Bourton, the furniture company seems to be the perfect fit, and he has quickly become a key member of the team.

Not only is he developing his sales skills, but he is also learning about the environment and improving his knowledge of digital communications and marketing.

The former Bicester School pupil, who has been at Activate College in Banbury studying level three mechanics and IT since 2022, said: “All the office furniture is recycled, nothing goes to landfill, that’s something I really like.

“I can tell you that chairs and desks are returned from clients, cleaned, safety checked, and then reused good as new.

“I’m promoting equipment on social media, selling it on eBay, delivering, and collecting.

“I’m often the passenger in Kay’s delivery truck, just in Oxfordshire at the moment, but there are customers right across the UK, so hopefully I’ll get to venture further in the future.”

Lisa Lyons, Oxfordshire County Council’s director of children’s services, added: “Our Oxfordshire supported internship scheme offers huge benefits for young people and adults with additional needs

Lisa Lyons, Oxfordshire County Council’s director of children’s services (Image: Oxfordshire County Council) “We are particularly pleased with Warwick’s progress. He has already benefited from support through our children and young people’s team.

“Now we’re able to continue with him on his journey, watching him thrive through this exciting work placement.

“By securing and retaining a job, individuals like Warwick gain a real sense of achievement, being part of a workforce and living as independently as possible.”