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14 year old Leyla Patterson joined us for a week of work experience and we could not be prouder of the impact it had.  A few days after she returned home, her dad, Will, phoned to speak with us and shared the experience from her side.

The family had only become clients a few months ago, but their connection to our business has already grown deeper.  Leyla’s week with us did not just offer her a glimpse into the world of professional services, it shaped her ambitions for the future.

“Now, I also want to thank you all very, very much for last week,” Will said on our call.  “What an amazing week Leyla had with you.”

He went on to explain that Leyla, at just 14, now knows exactly what she wants to do.

Leyla has always enjoyed numbers, but she also loves helping her dad on the family farm.  With those blends of interests, we wanted to make sure her experience was meaningful, well rounded, and tailored to what genuinely excites her.

During the week, Leyla gained experience in several departments, including Accountancy in Corporate companies, Recovery Solutions, Financial Services, Tax, Wills and Probate, and Human Resources, giving her a broad understanding of the different areas that make up our business.  But the most important part of her programme was the time we arranged with our Agricultural team.

Leyla spent two full days working alongside Rosie Walker, an Accounts Assistant in the Agriculture team.  The match could not have been more perfect.  Both Leyla and Rosie are active members of their local young farmers clubs, which meant they immediately connected through shared passions and experiences.

Will told us how impressed he was that we had picked up on Leyla’s interests from her CV and made sure she was placed somewhere she would feel inspired and understood, and by the end of the week, she could see herself stepping into Rosie’s shoes.  She stayed with her Auntie for the week, and every evening she delivered a full, enthusiastic debrief of what she had learned.  The structure, variety and personalisation of the programme stood out to her family.

Will described her experience as something he will share with friends, family and even strangers.  His gratitude extended to every person involved, from those who organised the placements to the teams who welcomed her each day.

For our people, the feedback was a powerful reminder of the difference we can make.  Work experience is not just a week on someone’s calendar, it can change a young person’s path, open their eyes to new possibilities and build confidence that lasts well beyond their time with us.

Her journey is a wonderful example of what happens when we invest in young people.  With curiosity, encouragement and the right opportunities, they can discover careers that combine their interests, their strengths and their passions, which is what we strive for at David Allen.

If you are interested in our work experience program, please get in touch with our careers team: careers@david-allen.co.uk

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