Helping Matthew into the world of work

The County Council’s Supported Employment Service offers people with a Learning Disability a helping hand with getting into the world of work.

The service offers information and advice on accessing employment and retaining employment and focuses on peoples strengthens and needs, with the aim of moving them closer to securing employment.

One person who has benefitted from the scheme is Matthew. He has been working at Newland Hurst Residential Care Home in Droitwich for over 6 years now. He initially started working there 1 morning a week and this has been extended to 2 days over time.

Matthew has grown in confidence and has become a well-established member of the team. He works as an Outdoor Maintenance Assistant, maintaining the grounds and gardens, keeping the paving, fencing and structures clean, painted and in good order.

He also has responsibility for cleaning and feeding the homes own ducks, chickens, and animals. Matthew also enjoys helping out with other jobs he is asked to assist with, and often supports on market days, when the home sell their produce made in their wood shop.

Matthew said: “I really do enjoy working here and the staff and residents really respect me a lot, because I’ve been helping them out. They realise I’m a hard-working person, who has been helping to keep this place nice and clean. I’ve never let my boss down. I’ve got my job, and I’ve now got a place to live, and I am really happy with my life.”

Bob Timmins, Newland Hurst Residential Care Home manager, said: “Matthew has done incredibly well. He likes taking care of the chickens and is really great with them. He benefits our team greatly; we think he’s the best worker we’ve ever had. He’s always on time and no task is too much trouble for him.”

Sally Ann Parker, Employment Partnerships Officer at Worcestershire County Council, said: “When we first met Matthew, he was living at home with his mother and brother and was really keen to be more active and independent. It was important for Matthew’s wellbeing that he was involved with his community. He wanted to work but was finding it difficult to find and secure the right opportunity. One of the things we do as part of the service, is bridging the gap between the person and the employer. We worked with the Manager at the Residential Care Home to match Matthew to a role within the care home and set up visits, taster sessions and working interviews as a reasonable adjustment to a more traditional recruitment and selection process.

Six years on and I recently met up again with Matthew again during a visit to the care home. I was so heartened to see how happy and settled he was in his work. He was very proud of his employment and loved working at the home. The care home has been a supportive work environment in which Matthew has gained so many positive impacts on his health and wellbeing; being involved, making friends and new social networks, increasing self-esteem, developing skills, and more financial independence.”

Councillor Richard Morris, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care at Worcestershire County Council said: “It is wonderful to hear how Matthew has grown into such a well-loved and well-respected team member during his time at Newland Hurst and how the employment continues to be such a success and make a difference, both for him and his employer. It is great to hear from Matthew and his family, about how much his confidence and social skills have developed since working at Newland and how this has translated into his home life. This scheme is key as it helps people with disabilities, who may never have worked before, through the complexities of the world of work and opens up further employment opportunities.”

If you know a Worcestershire based business that would like to get involved and explore the potential to offer a work opportunity please visit our dedicated Supported Employment Service pages.