Author: Peralta

The beneficiary joined programme with the hope of securing paid employment.  He is a double amputee with both legs removed below the knee, using artificial limbs to move around.  He had been out of work since 2003, he also lost his wife last year. Additionally, his father-in-Law was diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder, which meant that he has had to become an informal carer. 

As a result, he was in great need of wellbeing support and guidance on how to proceed with his goals. 

In order for the beneficiary to progress we focussed on his wellbeing. Our Wellbeing Officer looked for Carer Support Groups he could attend, with the aim to support him in engaging with the community and getting peer-to-peer support from other informal carers. We also encouraged him to attend a dementia-awareness networking event, he gained valuable information that supported him and his family members caring for his father-in-law. Additionally, he was Supported in accessing other benefits and services. We assisted him completing the relevant forms to ensure he received all of the support he was entitled too. We signposted him to different courses and workshops, such as an NHS app and digital skills. He was enrolled on a digital college course – 1st aid in the workplace, which he completed. There was a noticeable difference in his confidence at this point, he was feeling positive about his future and his ability to progress. 

We supported his decision to change from his previous job sector to the healthcare sector. Our Employment Advisor discussed his options at length, with the aim improve his situation and move closer to the job market. We looked for suitable roles, which did not require him to use stairs. It was vital that we looked at vacancies in buildings that are accessible, as we did not want this to be a barrier for him. Mark applied for a support worker role and received support from our advisor prior to the interview with regards to transport options and interview techniques. The beneficiary was successful and secured a position as a Support Worker. This was a significant achievement for him, positively impacting his mental and physical health and reducing his social isolation. We then proceeded to provide in work support for him to help him sustain employment, progressing to the best of his ability.

Mark was keen to develop his skills even further, as a result we enrolled him on a introduction to BSL course supported by his Wellbeing Officer. This will be benefit him in his current employment as he supports individuals with various health challenges.

The beneficiary has become more confident in his own abilities and feels optimistic about his future. 

He shows commitment and dedication to his role, by continuing to source training opportunities, to assist him in employment. He thoroughly enjoys his job, receiving positive feedback from his employer. 

His interpersonal skills and confidence have soared, improving his mental and physical health. We will continue to provide him with in work support to ensure that he sustains his employment, supporting the employer where necessary. We look forward to seeing how he progresses in the future.

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Female beneficiary born Deaf influenced to lip read by her mother discouraged British Sign Language, incorrectly assumed BSL would damage her established linguistics impacting negatively on her development. 

The beneficiary struggled through education gaining very few qualifications and discriminated against, impacting her confidence significantly, particularly in terms of achieving/accessing training. 

VR struggles with communication impacting on her Mental health, mainly anxiety and panic attacks. She finds meeting new people a challenge especially people that don’t understand her Deafness. Since becoming a single parent VR is socially isolated and very lonely, she is excluded from social activities outside the house, she believes her Deafness has hindered her joining social groups, activities and sustaining paid employment.
 
VR needed support to access paid employment she felt “uncertain” of which path to take regarding training and employment, she clearly struggled to communicate with others even basic lip reading became stressful.

During the initial meeting VR became very anxious, clearly struggling with the social interaction and environment. Therefore, the EA planned the meetings in the local library, in the quiet area, with no background noise for distraction.
VR was focused on gaining paid employment. We discussed realistic job opportunities that worked around childcare, such as working term time in education. We completed two applications for schools local to VR, term time contracts in cleaning and catering. We located various paid employment opportunities locally, registering with E Teach with support from the EA.
 
On completion of the Digital College course “Food Safety and Hygiene” we updated her CV. Previously VR held an out-of-date Food and Hygiene qualification and was keen to refresh her knowledge in this area.
 
EA recognised that VR was digitally excluded and informed her of the “Samsung Table Loan Scheme” at Aura Library in Flint. We applied and received confirmation of acceptance for the scheme. Improving her interpersonal skills by video calling family members. In addition, providing access to video calling interviews, as her hearing loss prevents her from engaging in telephone interviews.
EA sourced a local cleaning position close to VR’s home. EA contacted the organisation, explaining the applicants’ barriers, the hotel owner was very understanding and invited VR for a work trial to assess her capabilities. VR attended and passed the assessment, however, due to shift patterns for weekend work VR couldn’t accept the job.
 
VR worked alongside her Wellbeing Officer to reduce her anxiety and build her confidence. Registering for The Open University Open Learn platform, to build her confidence with digital learning. She completed “Children’s Rights” beneficial for working within the education domain 
 
We applied for a dual role of Lunchtime Supervisor and Evening Cleaner at a local school.
She was invited for an interview/formal discussion, it was at this point The Employment Advisor met with VR to discuss interview techniques.
  
VR became very nervous worried that she would panic in a group situation not being able to follow the conversation pattern relying on lipreading, however, EA encouraged her to use interactive clues for when conversation changed over form person to person, this worked well VR completed the interview.
 
Shortly afterwards VR received a message asking her if she would be interested in a Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship. VR contacted EA for support with technology to apply for a DBS certificate and upload the required documents. This has a significant impact on the beneficiary, feeling excited about her future and new opportunities. In preparation for the start date The Employment Advisor and Wellbeing officer reassured VR that she will receive in work support and support to submit an Access to Work Application depending on her requirements in the workplace.

I have seen excellent progression in VR since joining programme. Her interpersonal skills have developed significantly, attending the Welsh Language group independently, improving her confidence when speaking in a group setting and engaging with her peers. 
 
She now feels confident in her Digital Skills, following completion of Open Learn and Digital College Qualifications.  
 
Securing paid employment within education, something she felt was unachievable due to the barriers she faced in relation to her disability. 
 
Although she still struggles with anxiety and panic attacks, she maintains episodes much better by taking time out when needed. This has impacted her confidence, which has developed significantly since joining programme. She is now excited about her future and has the confidence to develop her skills further and say yes to opportunities that are presented to her.

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Upon our initial meeting, the beneficiary expressed how anxious and isolated as she feels, as she has been out of Paid Employment since Covid. Struggling with her vertigo, migraines and hearing loss. Her health struggles meant she felt she was unable to commit to anything and therefore unable to progress. 

During our meeting, she expressed that she was not ready to go back to paid employment but was eager to focus on Training, with the hope to eventually secure a Volunteering role.

Since joining the project, SR has maintained contact with both her Employment Advisor and Wellbeing Officer, attending regular meetings.As a first step for SR, we enrolled her on the Dealing with Anxiety on Digital College as due to her circumstances of being out of work since Covid lockdown, she has lost a lot of her confidence. The course allowed her to familiarise with some of the triggers and tips and gave her the confidence to begin to develop her interpersonal skills to what they were previously with our support.

SR enrolled on Agored’s An Introduction to British Sign Language course which is a 10 week course being held at COS once a week on a Friday for two hours at a time. During this time, she has been engaging with other Beneficiaries on a regular basis, one of whom she has exchanged contact details with to meet outside of the course which is a great positive impact on her personal social life and shows a development in her interpersonal skills.

SR began Volunteering for Sue Ryder in Rhos-on-Sea this year where she quickly became a valued member of the time, impressing the Manager. She got back into the rhythm of assisting customers with their needs, as well as helping colleagues with aspects of the role that they weren’t sure of, as she has had a lot of experience in customer facing roles.

Following her progression in her Voluntary role in Sue Ryder, SR was asked to apply for the Manager position. This had a significant positive impact on her confidence, being recognised for her hard work and given the opportunity of paid employment with just 12 weeks of starting her voluntary role. She applied for the position, we turned our focus to interview techniques ahead of her interview. The beneficiary was successful in her interview and offered the position of Store Manager. 

This is an incredible achievement, significantly impacting the beneficiary’s outlook of life, her financial security and social inclusion.

Find out more about employing people with a sensory loss?

About 78% of business that prioritised disability inclusion reported that is led to better morale and productivity (Business Disability Forum 2021)

Get Involved

Partners