Learners on this employer-led supported internship in Birmingham complete up to 900 hours of work experience between September and July. Learners are based permanently at a single site, the Merlin Park warehouse of leading logistics company, GXO. 

Express your interest

The logos of logistics company, GXO and charity, DFN Project Search who partner with Mencap to deliver a supported internship programme.

Learners complete work experience with GXO at their Merlin Park warehouse in the Erdington area of Birmingham.

The programme is also delivered in partnership with a charity called DFN Project Search. 

What kind of work do learners do on this supported internship programme?

Learners on this supported internship programme work as a warehouse operative. 

This means they scan, sort and divert packages in the warehouse. 

After training, learners may also:

  • Move products using industrial trucks and machines, like forklifts and power pallets 
  • Work indoors or outdoors in the yard ensuring safe operations for the team and our delivery partners.

Skills and abilities learners will need for this work include:

  • Following instructions safely
  • Standing and walking for long periods
  • Lifting products

This work is well suited to young people who like following a process and having a routine. 

A typical day on this supported internship programme

  • 9am to 10am - classroom learning focused on employabiltiy skills
  • 10am to 3.30pm - work experience supported by a Mencap Training Academy skills coach
  • 3.30pm to 4pm - classroom time to reflect on the days activities.
A supported internship learner sorting items in a warehouse.
letter and pencil

How do young people enrol on this supported internship programme?

To express an interest in joining this employer-led supported internship in Birmingham and to start the enrolment process, please complete our online expression of interest form. Please specify that you are interested in completing a programme in Birmingham, and select GXO as the employer you are interested in doing work experience with.

If you or the person you are enquiring on behalf of are eligible for a supported internship, then a member of the team will work to get in touch with you within 14 working days.

Before we can agree to enrol learners, we will need to see a copy of the young person's EHCP and to meet with them to discuss why they want to enrol on the programme, as well as their skills, needs and interests. 

We will also hold an employer matching day with GXO later in the year where young people can meet with people from GXO and try some of the tasks they will be doing on the programme to see if it is a good fit for them.

Our Birmingham prospectus

You can find out more about all our programmes in Birmingham in our prospectus which we update every year. 

Our prospectus

The closest bus stop to the Merlin Park warehouse is the Wingfoot Wat bus stop which is on the 64 and 96 bus routes. It is also close to the Bracken Road stop which is on the 67 and 68 routes.

Find us

We understand that some people may not have much experience of travelling on their own and may feel nervous about finding their way to the GXO warehouse. 

You will have the chance to visit the site before starting on the course as part of the enrolment process so potential learners can start to familiarise themselves with the journey then. 

You may also be able to get some travel support before joining the course from your local council .

Travel training for Birmingham residents

Travel training for Solihull residents

Mencap can also provide travel training for up to 6 weeks at the start of the programme. 

If you would like to enquire about enrolling on this employer-led supported internship in Birmingham, then the best way to start the process is by completing our online expression of interest form.

However, if you would like to get in touch with the team in Birmingham directly, then please email:

[email protected] 

0748 3914 874

For general enquiries, you can also contact: [email protected]