In the Autumn of 2025, Community Appliances welcomed a special guest: Kieran, a 19-year-old student completing a 3-month placement. Kieran attends a college that supports young adults with an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP), helping them gain skills that will lead to employment. Students complete supported internships in a range of sectors, practising skills that can be added to their CVs.
The college described him as quiet and shy, but Kieran surprised everyone by coming out of his shell quickly, cracking jokes and becoming part of the team.
The placement was Kieran’s first experience of electrical engineering, and has since learned the valuable skills of PAT testing, and how to strip and repair parts. The team was surprised at how quickly Kieran picked up these skills, so much so, that by the end of the placement, Kieran was safely testing and repairing appliances on his own!
Within three months, Kieran had learnt a skill set that would, hopefully, make him more employable. More importantly, he had demonstrated to himself his capacity to learn and that he had the self-discipline to fulfil his commitments. He describes finishing his placement as a victory that has opened the door to employment. Kieran left secondary school with only one qualification (not including the vital Maths and English GCSEs) and thought he would never be able to get a job. But now he thinks differently!
Community Appliances’ manager Tom, says that Kieran really proved himself during the placement and that he took every opportunity to learn and improve. Tom also noted the impact Kieran had on the charity and wider community: Renewal can only sell electrical items if they have been properly tested and refurbished, and there were many times that Kieran repaired items that were discovered to be valuable. Without meaning to, Kieran was raising money for the charity.
Renewal’s motto is “Bringing Hope Through Jesus Christ” and what is more hopefully than a young person regaining confidence in themselves? If you would like to support other young people and adults in their efforts, please consider donating today.
