Client's journey to achieving her dream job

Laura Shuttleworth • March 2, 2023

An incredible good news story from one of our clients, who explains how the support from us has changed her life and helped her get her dream job!

I have worked many years with Ways into Work since I was in college doing the life skills course. My first job was work experience in a day nursery and also part-time in Legoland working in food and beverage. With these experiences, I secured 25 hour a week paid employment in a day centre for adults with special needs. My work there included assisting with the different activity groups be it in music, art, sensory group, drama, or as a lunchtime assistant. I loved the work and I worked between two centres, one in Maidenhead and one in Windsor. I travelled independently to both as I don’t live near either. I loved the job, it taught me a lot about different people's needs, and the variety was great as no two days were the same. Sadly, when Covid-19 hit I was made redundant and once again I had to rethink my career choice. I had worked at Gap retail every Friday for a six-hour shift, so my customer skills were up to date.

I began with my job coach to search for new jobs, and eventually, I found some after a few interview refusals. I eventually secured employment at Zara retail store. However this was only seasonal work, I was so happy to start a job where I was meeting people and doing a role I felt familiar with and had knowledge of. After a few months, I was again unemployed and I felt I needed a more long-term career and I would like to work with children. After careful searching and discussion with my employment adviser I found out that if I did a child care course my employment opportunities would broaden in the area of child care.

I applied to do a course in level 1 childcare online. I was nervous as I was unsure of what the paperwork would involve however with some support I managed the course and have since completed level 2. I then secured a permanent job in the area I live in, working afternoons between 2-6 and also covering staff holidays as well when the occasion arises.

I feel that I have achieved a huge amount and am so happy to be employed in a career that I really enjoy as I am a very patient person and like to interact with children as I have a lot of experience from looking after my niece. This nursery assistant position has become my dream job. I still see my employment adviser when I need to and this support is vital when things change in my role, or if I need support with any training, or if I need to discuss any work issues that arise.

It is a wonderful feeling to have a sense of worth in my employment and to do a job I love.

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When Rajpal first became a client at Ways into Work he had been struggling with looking for work and a good job match. Rajpal has a mild learning disability and mental health issues and had not worked for over ten years except to help now and then at his family’s supermarket. He had not worked for such a long time as he was not well enough to think about his career and life choices. When he joined Ways into Work as a Job Seeker and was assigned an Employment Coach who spent a long time getting to know him, doing a vocational profile and job matching. It was decided that the best first step was for Rajpal was to experience what different jobs and roles are like and what they would entail. Ways into Work then supported him in applying for various roles in retail and did mock interviews where he gained lots of practice. He secured a few interviews but was not offered any of the jobs. Rajpal had begun taking an interest in going to the gym and informed his Employment Coach that he would like a job at the gym. After approaching the employer, his Employment Coach secured an interview for him. He was so happy that at the interview when asked why he would like to work at the gym, he pulled out of his pocket a handwritten lengthy list of reasons why he liked the job and the skills he had to offer. This showed the employer his passion for the job and Rajpal was offered the job, working 3 days (24 hours) a week to begin with. As the leisure centre was 7 miles away, his Employment Coach supported him with applying for Access To Work transport to and from work. They also taught him and his parents how to claim his monthly ATW transport and supported him with the change of circumstances in his benefits. When Rajpal first started to work at the Leisure Centre he solely worked in the gym and his role included ensuring that all the equipment was working and clean, as well as dealing with lots of customer enquiries. This was quite a challenge for Rajpal to begin with, as it was a large premise and no two days were the same. With Job Coaching , Ways into Work was able to support Rajpal by helping to create a routine for him and also discussing with his supervisor a way of building new tasks into his days as the weeks progressed.