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National Inclusion Week: Meeting our Supported Internship trainees

As Marston’s marks National Inclusion Week, trainees CC and Benedict are reflecting on how their supported internships have helped them develop new skills, grow in confidence and become valued members of their pub team.

Both attend Landmarks Specialist College, which helps create meaningful employment pathways for young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities through supported internships in our pubs. Learners gain early industry knowledge through the college’s own pub and bistro, before a Marston’s placement helps them put those skills into practice, gain valuable work experience and explore future careers in hospitality.

For CC, arriving for work at The Foxglove means putting on her chef whites and heading somewhere she is excited to be. “The Foxglove is my comfort,” she says. “I get up, get my whites on and am excited to come to work.”

Working back of house and in the kitchen, CC supports the team with food preparation, processing orders and pot washing. More recently, she has been developing her skills with the pub’s pizza oven and preparing desserts.

“I love cooking and it’s been great to get the chance to do it at The Foxglove,” she says. “They teach me all sorts, from how to cook pizzas to how to prepare sandwiches and desserts.”

The impact has been personal as well as practical. “My confidence has grown massively,” CC added. “I’m more comfortable with myself than anything. I get along with the whole team, and we have so many laughs.”

General Manager Tony Holmes has seen that confidence grow first hand. He says CC was understandably nervous when she first joined the team but has steadily developed her capabilities and independence.

“CC’s gone from barely saying a word when she came in, really nervous and worried about the environment she was coming into, to taking the mickey out of me about the football!” Tony says.

It is a light-hearted moment, but it reflects a real sense of connection and belonging. For Tony, that matters as much as the practical skills CC is developing.

"Whatever happens to CC in the future, whether her future's here or elsewhere, if we can say she's grown in confidence from working with us, then we've achieved something hugely valuable," he says. "If our trainees come away from this opportunity more independent and work-ready, then that's got to be worth doing."

Benedict is also beginning his supported internship journey at The Foxglove, working behind the bar. He is learning the pace and responsibility of a front-of-house role, from serving drinks and communicating with guests to working safely around allergy requirements.

“I’ve really developed my communication skills,” Benedict says. “I’m communicating clearly with guests, preparing drinks and speaking confidently with guests about our allergen guidelines. Being able to operate under pressure is vital too.”

Alongside the technical aspects of bar work, Benedict is learning the shared responsibility of being part of a busy pub team. “Every time I mess up, someone’s there fixing it for me,” he says. “And if someone else messes up, I’m going to fix it for them.”

Lisa Rathbone from Landmarks College says the partnership with Marston’s has been invaluable for learners with hospitality ambitions. “Once the learners start at the pub, they’re able to learn the real-world skills needed for the role, with an ultimate aim of gaining employment at the end of it,” she says.

Eight young people have gained paid employment with Marston’s through the Landmarks partnership so far, with a further six hoping to take on roles next year.

“Inclusive employment is so important,” Lisa says. “Our learners have a good work ethic but sometimes need a little bit of support to build confidence and gain paid work. You’re supporting someone who might usually not get a chance.”

CC, meanwhile, knows exactly what she wants next. “I want to focus on cooking in the future,” she says. “I want to do more hours here and keep progressing. I want them to think that I am the right fit for this role.”

At Marston’s, we believe that people make pubs. They create the welcome, teamwork and sense of community that makes a local feel special. By creating opportunities and helping people shine, our partnership with Landmarks Specialist College is supporting learners such as CC and Benedict to deliver shared good times across our pub estate.

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