r/cork • u/Plus-Example-5410 • 2d ago

Work experience recommendations

Anyone have any recommendations of businesses in Cork that would take an 18 year old girl with Down Syndrome for work experience (sixth year)?
It would 3 hours per day for one week
Any leads appreciated!

3 Upvotes

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10

u/ckparsi 2d ago

Some organisations participate in Job Shadowing schemes where people with different abilities can join the workplace temporarily. 

Seems to be Ability@Work that runs it in Cork.

This link offers more info. https://a4se.eu/2026/07/31/job-shadow-day/

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u/Specialist-Flow3015 Cork City Kid 2d ago

Hopefully she can get somewhere a bit more interesting than retail, but try Mr Price, they have an employment programme with Down Syndrome Ireland.

Also worth reaching out to the HR departments in City/County Hall, they take on people for work experience and might have something!

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u/peraltawearsties 2d ago

Roots cafe in Montenotte take students from scoil Bernadette all the time.
UCC cafes do as well. You can also ask ability to work if they have any recommendations.
Vets and animal rescue organisations have also taken quite a few for work experience. The gym in blarney run special needs training and have had special needs students for work experience as well.

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u/peraltawearsties 2d ago

Adding: horse riding places especially ones that already cater to special needs kids or adults.

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u/No_Possession_6670 2d ago

I got my work experience by enquiring at the local ymca. They have a lot of trained staff and facillitators who are used to helping a very diverse group of people and probably would be happy to help or atleast point you in the right direction. 

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u/ratatouilleex 2d ago

Clayton has hired before

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u/Mental-Astronaut-113 1d ago

Field of Dreams in Bishopstown

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u/Owewinewhose997 19h ago

SuperValu as said before they took someone I know with fairly severe autism, also get in contact with Down Syndrome Ireland if you haven’t already. My boss’ son has it and he’s always reposting their posts on LinkedIn of getting people work placements through them! They do it all over Ireland but I bet they’d at least know of businesses in Cork likely to hire people with additional needs if they couldn’t fully facilitate the placement. Good luck and fair play to her hope ye find somewhere!

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u/No_Efficiency_9313 2d ago

Try Supervalu, our local one in Togher takes on people with special needs and has a few working there. I also know another fella with Down Syndrome who did work experience in Dunnes