Ever since leaving college, Vicky has wanted to work and earn money, so she could feel more independent. With support from United Response and the Cornwall Works for Learning Disabilities programme, she successfully landed her first paid job.
Vicky lives in the Bodmin area of Cornwall. She has dyspraxia and mild learning disabilities. When she first came to United Response’s supported employment service, she’d had a few voluntary positions, but nothing paid. Her freshly appointed job coach first explored Vicky’s strengths and skills and then set about helping her to look for a suitable position.
Eventually, and with much delight, Vicky secured a seasonal role as an accommodation team member at Perran Sands Holiday Park (part of Bourne Leisure) in Perranporth.
Vicky was supported throughout the whole employment process – which included applying for the position, a working interview (which suited Vicky better than a traditional interview, as she sometimes struggles with what she wants to say), an induction period and job support once she had secured the role.
Vicky’s new role involved cleaning the interiors of the park’s caravans. The United Response job coach helped Vicky carry out her job effectively by breaking down the tasks so they were easier to understand, as well as using checklists to ensure she stayed on track.
This one-to-one support routine allowed Vicky to become comfortable with the job, and from there begin to enjoy and get better at it. Indeed, she showed such improvement that she was given extra responsibilities – such as locking and unlocking the caravans before and after cleaning.
“Vicky does a great job,” said Liz Coates, accommodations manager of Perran Sands. “We’ve had some fantastic feedback from our guests who have rated her work as ‘excellent’ on our maid card system for guest comments.
“The supported employment service has been excellent, with job coaches accompanying Vicky in doing her job to begin with to ensure she knew what to do. We would recommend using the supported employment programme to any employer.”
During her time at the holiday park, Vicky had been supported to think about what was next in line. So, when the seasonal role came to an end, she already had a new role in sight.
With support, Vicky got a job that involved cleaning two supported living houses run by national charity HFT. The success of her application was in part, down to the experience and references she picked up at Perran Sands Holiday Park.
In her new role Vicky is meeting people and making friends. Furthermore, feedback from the rest of the staff is that she is fitting in well and fast-becoming a valuable part of the team.
