The Orpheus Centre recently hosted a series of inspiring and engaging events, as part of National Careers Week 2025. A variety of activities were designed to help students develop professional skills, explore career opportunities, and boost their confidence for the future.
The students need as much high-quality support and career guidance as possible as the employment rate for people with a learner disability, in the UK, remains at 4.8%. Our aim is to get as many students into sustained employment as possible or into suitable social community settings. To achieve better outcomes for the students requires everyone’s involvement to make it a success. Including:
- the CEO,
- principal,
- senior leadership,
- trustees,
- curriculum staff,
- the wider college,
- parents/guardians,
- employers,
- external providers,
- other further education services, to support our students’ journey.
We are happy to say that 29% of the students leaving Orpheus are now in paid employment in line with their goals. But there is more work to be done.
The week kicked off on Friday 28th February, the centre’s very own radio station, Rocket Radio introduced the Careers Acrostic Competition. Students showcased their creativity by preparing short written pieces or recordings using the word “CAREERS,” setting the tone for the week ahead.
Throughout Monday 3rd March, students participated in engaging workshops, including Labour Market Information Awareness (LMI) sessions that offered interactive learning about the job market. The Drama Majors collaborated with ZooCo in a workshop alongside St. Piers School Students. Additionally, the Belfry Shopping Centre in Redhill, Surrey, hosted an event where students met with local retailers to develop workplace skills and gain confidence in their professional abilities.
On Tuesday 4th March, students took part in a confidence-building session about professional presentation. All students had the opportunity to have their professional headshots taken. Art Majors visited Polesden Lacey, gaining a deeper appreciation for art, history, and different cultures.
Wednesday 5th March brought a focus on enterprise. Students participated in a Monty’s Bake House lunch buffet catering group, gaining hands-on experience in catering under the guidance of industry professionals. We also launched our new Careers Suite, which was a highlight of the day, with distinguished visitors such as Tim Hall, Vice-Chair of Surrey County Council, Sir Richard Stilgoe, Virginia Fenton and other community leaders attending. During the day, James Haigh of the Careers and Enterprise Youth Advisory Group hosted a carousel activity, promoting young people’s enterprise and career ambassador initiatives.
The launch of our new Career Suite falls in line with the National Careers Strategy and our Orpheus Strategy and College Development Plan which, aligns with the Gatsby Benchmarks. In addition, it provides an opportunity to work towards the accreditation of the Quality in Careers Standard.
The Career Suite is a good opportunity to get everyone on board with careers across the curriculum. It is the hope of the college that this facility will benefit the entire cohort as it highlights all accessible pathways for all students. In turn, every student can be an asset and contribute to the local and wider community.
Thursday, 6th March, focused on skills development through interviews. Orpheus students participated in interview skills sessions run by SGN and the Orpheus HR team. They received valuable insights into the interview process and how to present themselves professionally.
The final day of the week, Friday 7th March, was a celebration of creativity and industry connections. Dance Majors participated in workshops delivered by Stop Gap, and the Careers Fair at Woodhatch, provided a great opportunity for students to explore various career pathways. Our regular Funky Friday event turned into Careers Funky Friday where students welcomed Alumni Speakers, including Daniel and Joseph, who shared their career journeys and inspired the next generation of professionals.
“National Careers week was a fantastic celebration that offered our students invaluable opportunities to develop professional skills, explore and discover potential career pathways after college, receive expert career guidance, gain industry insights, and connect with professionals and providers in the community who can help to shape their future, inspire and inform their next steps. I believe that the week left our students feeling more inspired and more confident about careers.”
– Paulette Russell, Careers & Employability Advisor
Orpheus Centre would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the partners, employers, and volunteers who made National Careers Week 2025 a tremendous success. The events held during the week have provided students with invaluable experiences and insights, equipping them with the skills and confidence to pursue their future careers.
About Orpheus
The Orpheus Centre is a charity and college which supports young disabled adults aged 18-25 to learn essential life skills, gain formal qualifications and prepare for their future.
For more information, please contact:
Simon Parratt
Email: comms@orpheus.org.uk
