Case Study

After a successful summer internship progressed into a part-time job alongside his university studies, Ross feels truly at home with the customer care team at Bellway Homes. Identified as a perfect internship fit by disability specialists Change 100, he’s grown in confidence to face the next chapter in his career and has paved the way for successive interns to join the leading housebuilder. 

“It couldn’t have worked out better,” says John Neilson, Head of Customer Care at Bellway Homes (Scotland West) – and Ross certainly agrees. 

 

Ross applied to join the Change 100 mentoring and internship scheme attracted by the bespoke support provided for people with disabilities and health conditions. His own OCD and anxiety manifests in nervous twitches, perpetual counting, and reassurance seeking that had previously impacted his studies and led to counselling. Back on track and studying for a degree in History, Politics and International Relations at Strathclyde University, Ross actively pushes himself to volunteer and find work that builds his confidence and resilience.  

 

“Being isolated doesn’t help me, I know I have to try things to know they’re actually OK,” says Ross, who is 22 and lives in South Lanarkshire. “I wanted something worthwhile to do in my long summer break and the Change 100 programme offered practical and understanding support with connections to local employers for paid internships.  

 

“I found the online application straightforward and even though I was really nervous for my interview, the Change 100 team made me feel very comfortable. Once I was accepted, I listed administration and people skills as the areas I was keen to develop – the Bellway Homes vacancy they sourced was perfect.” 

 

Joining the customer care team in June 2025, Ross handled a three-month project overseeing customer satisfaction surveys – an area of vital importance to Bellway’s five star builder status. Manager John says that he ‘knew right away that Ross would be fabulous’ – and he didn’t disappoint. His gentle nature, attention to detail, and strong work ethic saw the summer placement extended to a two-day-a-week part-time job during Ross’ final university year. 

 

“The Bellway team is the friendliest I’ve met in any workplace; I soon felt that I fit in but had people I could turn to if needed,” adds Ross, who was coached by a colleague and had a separate Bellway Homes mentor to encourage and settle him in his placement. “I was so happy to stay on – it was validation that I’d done a good job and contributed to the team. I gained a lot of confidence and feel comfortable talking to people now.” 

 

Ross also accessed the continuing professional development opportunities offered by Change 100, attending online skills building and sector spotlight sessions. He is now taking a huge step towards his ambition of becoming a teacher – starting his post-graduate History and Modern Studies teaching diploma in the autumn of 2026. 

 

“We’ll be bidding Ross a fond farewell,” concludes John. “He was superb in his role, needed no special support, and the whole team has enjoyed working with him. The Change 100 experience has been hugely positive – so much so that we’ve just offered our second summer internship to a Change 100 candidate. The quality of people put forward is very impressive – I know it’s going to be another fulfilling summer for us, and our new intern.” 

 

Change 100 is delivered by Ability Pathways CiC, a not-for-profit enterprise led by Ingeus, that helps talented students and graduates with disabilities access career development opportunities and paid internships with a range of employers.  

Speak to one of the Change 100 team to explore how your organisation can get involved.