Learners on our employer-led supported internship in central London complete up to 900 hours of work experience between September and July. Learners are based permanently at a single site. 

Express your interest  
Mencap Training Academy learner
The logos of facilities management company Sodexo and the charity, DFN Project Search

Learners complete work experience with a company called Sodexo who provide lots of different services at the head offices of another company called Unilever. These offices are in Blackfriars in central London.

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

What kind of work do learners do on this programme?

Learners on this programme complete a series of work experience placements in different teams with Sodexo, including:

  • Front of house, working on the reception desk
  • The on-site shop
  • The on-site cafe
  • The reprographics (printing) room.

A typical day on this 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 man with his arms folded wearing a black catering uniform and hat standing in a cafe
letter and pencil

How do young people enrol on this programme?

To express an interest in joining our employer-led supported internship in central London 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 central London, and select Sodexo 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.

Our London prospectus

You can find out more about all our programmes in London in our 2025/26 prospectus. 

Our prospectus

Frequently asked questions

Learners on this course are based permanently at the headquarters of Unilever in Blackfriars, central London. It is 0.2 miles (5 minute walk) from Blackfriars tube station. It is also close to bus stops on the 40 and 63 routes (Blackfriars Station J and L bus stops); the 4, 786, 788 and 789 routes (Blackfriars Station A and B bus stops); and the 15, 17, 26 and 76 routes (City Thameslink Station/Ludgate Circus bus stops). 

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 our classrooms and to their work experience placements.

We encourage people to come and visit our premises before enrolling to see what it’s like and to get a sense of the journey from home. We also try to arrange meetings with employers where learners will do work experience before they start on the course so they can experience the journey to the workplace as well. 

You may also be able to get some independent travel training support before joining the supported internship from your local council.

For Islington residents, visit https://directory.islington.gov.uk/kb5/islington/directory/advice.page?id=yX6gE8DcQUk 

For Harringey residents, visit https://haringey.gov.uk/children-young-people-families/send-local-offer/education/school-travel-assistance/eligibility-application-process 

For Camden residents, visit https://cindex.camden.gov.uk/kb5/camden/cd/advice.page?id=Hv_du0BCs-8 

For Hackney residents, visit https://www.hackneylocaloffer.co.uk/kb5/hackney/localoffer/service.page?id=oJs8As1_ZGo 

For Tower Hamlets residents, visit https://www.localoffertowerhamlets.co.uk/organisations/28016-independent-travel-training-itt-for-students-with-special-educational-needs-and-disabilities-send 

For Lambeth residents, visit https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/children-young-people-and-families/send/send-support/young-adults-14-25-years/independent-travel-training 

For Southwark residents, visit https://www.southwark.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/travel/independent-travel-training 

Mencap can also provide travel training for up to 6 weeks at the start of the supported internship course to help learners learn the routes to their work experience placements.

If you would like to enquire about enrolling on our supported internship in central London, 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 a member of the team directly, then please contact the programme coordinator in central London, Tito Gbadamosi.

tito.gbadamosi497@mencap.org.uk 

07813 723 165

For general enquiries, you can also contact: employment.support@mencap.org.uk