Securing employment and amazing customer feedback

It may still be early in the year, but the people we support, with the help of the fantastic employers we work alongside, have already started to achieve some incredible things.?

Fantastic early job outcomes?

Though this year’s supported internship cohorts are not due to finish their programmes until July, our fantastic teams and learners have already started to secure some amazing paid job outcomes.??

In our South West London programme, Laurence has recently been offered a full-time paid job at the Decathlon store where he’s been completing work experience. His manager made the offer, as Laurence has been doing exceptionally well in his placement and has quickly become an integral part of the team.??

Laurence was thrilled with the news and can’t wait to get started in paid employment. But he’ll also continue to study with Mencap toward his maths and English exams that he’s been preparing for in our classes.??

Josh has been studying on our Worcester programme. Our team continued to support him to find a work experience placement at a Greene King pub.

Josh has learned to complete a range of tasks like taking orders, serving food and cleaning and relaying tables. He now attends his placement independently for two out of his three shifts a week and as a result, has been offered a paid role.

A big well done to Josh and we wish him the best of luck in his new job.

Amazing customer feedback for Mencap learners?

Hannah is currently enrolled on our Birmingham supported internship and has been completing a work experience placement at the Midlands Arts Centre since October. She’s been working incredibly hard and recently received some lovely customer feedback that reflected all her efforts. Hannah was described as a “delightful waitress” in the compliments slip. “She was happy, cheery and her customer service skills were impeccable. Thank you for brightening my morning!”?

Joseph, meanwhile, is currently on our Northampton programme and was also the subject of some amazing customer feedback recently at the cafe at Delapre Abbey where he has been doing work experience.?

“I saw Joseph when he first started [at the cafe]. I went today and what a change! The timid young man was engaging, met my eyes, spoke clearly, went about fulfilling my order and was not phased by incoming dogs or larger groups.??

"This young man has come so far and he should be incredibly proud of himself as should the management of Delapre and the support worker assigned to him.?

"I am delighted to see Delapre embracing neurodiversity amongst their staff and wish more organisations would support their unique contribution to their businesses.?

"I hope to see Joseph behind the counter moving forwards as his continuing progress makes my day!”?

This amazing feedback not only highlights how well people with a learning disability can do in the workplace but also how much customers appreciate businesses that make the effort to be inclusive.

You can read more about the benefits for businesses that work with people with a learning disability in our online factsheet.??

Overcoming barriers to thrive in work?

Thomas is currently completing our supported internship in Birmingham and is on a work experience placement with Greene King . He works in the kitchen, predominantly making and decorating the cakes, but he helps out in other areas too.?

Thomas faced significant barriers when first starting his placement due to severe anxiety and a previous negative experience of work experience from his time at college.?

Thomas’ Mencap skills coach, however, has worked with him to understand his anxiety, learning about the role of avoidance and how this has played a big part in maintaining his anxiety. Through the use of graded exposure, he has taken little incremental (but mighty) steps towards his goals.?

Before starting in his placement with Greene King, Thomas didn’t think he could do it and believed nothing could help him overcome his anxiety. But with empathy and encouragement, he took a massive leap forwards by attending his first day and hasn’t looked back!

He has developed his skills leaps and bounds, gaining new experiences in the kitchen each week, from piping eclairs and decorating their giant cakes, to prepping veg for the carvery and helping sort the deliveries. The kitchen manager fed back how amazing it is to see the difference in Thomas since he began his placement, from not wanting to enter the kitchen or say a word to anyone, or do anything for fear of making a mistake, to independently completing tasks and interacting with staff.

Thomas’ story shows what an impact positive work experience can have on young people’s confidence and wellbeing. We’re looking forward to seeing him develop even further!?

Employer of the month?

We’re keen to recognise the amazing efforts made by our wonderful employer partners to provide inclusive workplaces and enable people with SEND to succeed in work. We’ve therefore established an employer of the month award and are pleased to announce our first winner!?

We have developed an awards panel that meets monthly to review nominations made by our teams over the previous month. The panel met for the first time in February to pick January’s winner, who is RSA (Royal Sun Alliance).

Here’s what our colleagues had to say in nominating them:?

"All of the team at RSA have welcomed our learner James and our skills coaches, supporting him with a friendly and inclusive approach. James was included as a valued member of the team from his first day, with his arrival within the department announced to all staff via email and his progress communicated via internal newsletters. James received induction training with reasonable adjustments included where needed so that it was accessible for him. He receives one-to-one support and training, as well as daily check ins from his line manager, and access to equally supportive members of the team so that he can understand and complete tasks. He also has a mentor with whom he checks in with every month.?

The entire team at RSA from security at reception to the directors all greet James and answer any questions he has so that he can gain better understanding of the workplace. James has been invited to many social events with no pressure to commit.

James most recently extended his work experience hours and RSA are keen to provide more hours for James from March.?

RSA clearly communicate with Mencap, and are onboard with our vision, making them an excellent partner company to collaborate with.”?

RSA’s commitment to inclusion and working with our supported internship programme was further illustrated in February, when they invited 7 of our learners to their offices in Bishopsgate. There, the learners got to network, had a tour of the office and completed activities like crafting a career story. The visit will help RSA identify further Mencap learners for whom a placement at the company could be suitable.??

Congratulations to Royal Sun Alliance and thank you for being such an inclusive employer! Our team will be presenting staff at RSA with a certificate in the coming weeks.??

Perseverance pays off for Barnet job seeker?

Prior to joining our Barnet supported employment service, Austin had been seeking work for five years. He came to us with the clear idea of working in customer service and was interested in working in a library.?

Austin showed great determination in registering his interest in volunteering at the Church End library and quickly succeeded in obtaining the position. He has been supported in the role by a Mencap caseworker and is quickly developing his skills in the role which he is really enjoying.

Well done to Austin for persevering in his search.

If you are looking for help to find work or an employer wanting to make a difference, you can find more information about our programmes and useful resources on our website.