This site is delivered by Worcestershire County Council.

Employment and volunteering options

We hope this section can support you to navigate the world of employment and volunteering.

Finding a job or career can be a tricky but exciting adventure, ensuring you find the correct one can be difficult and frustrating. We hope this section can support you to navigate the world of employment and volunteering.

A wonderful path into employment that gives a high level of support and sometimes the opportunity to trial many different employment options would be a support internship.

You can find a little more information on education options.

Where to look

There are many online support websites that can help you on your way, these can be a great starting point.

Useful links

Your Pathways - Worcestershire Inclusive Employment Magazine (PDF)

 

Base

BASE work to support, promote and develop the principles and provision of supported employment, assisting people with additional needs and disabilities by encouraging the provision of support into employment.
 

Disability Jobsite

Disability Jobsite assists people with a disability to participate actively in employment and plays a critical role in supporting people with a disability on the pathway to work.

Worcestershire Jobs

Worcestershire Jobs is for all Worcestershire residents whether you are unemployed, employed seeking a new opportunity or a young person looking into future career possibilities.

Careers with Disabilities

UK disability friendly jobs board and accessible careers resource.

SCOPE

SCOPE is the disability equality charity in England and Wales who help provide practical information and emotional support when it's most needed as well as, campaign relentlessly to create a fairer society.
 

Disability Confident Employers

Take a look at the large list of UK wide employers that have a Disability Confident Employer stamp, which shows an understanding and commitment to employing those with a disability.

Does the employment option meet your values?

  • When a job or careers doesn’t meet you values you may find it hard to enjoy it, succeed or stay in the employment. Work out if the job or careers meets your work values.
  • Work values can be internal, external or life related
    • Internal: Variety of work, helping others, taking risks, having your work recognised
    • External: wage, hours, time off, independence
    • Life: spending time with family and friends, location of your job, progressing in other life goals

What to look for

Is the location suitable?

Location can make or break a decision on taking the employment opportunity that may be available. 

Ensure the location is achievable to reach for your travel arrangements.

Find an online route planner to plan your journey and show the time you should allow for the journey.

Access to work may also support the cost and logistics of travel to your work location.

Preparation

As they say preparation is key to success.

Preparing for your next steps is important, you may find some of the following useful to explore before starting the work opportunity.

Work experience is a wonderful way of getting prepared for the working world, if you didn’t get they chance to do it within school, speak to your careers leader to see if they can support you find some, you can even ask family and friends if they can support you.

Look through these top tips

Be on time or even better be early

  • be polite and respectful
  • be helpful to others without forgetting to do your own jobs
  • don’t use your mobile phone unless it is an emergency or on a break
  • know your working times for the week ahead
  • bring lunch or money if you have a lunch break
  • ask questions
  • make friends, a happy working environment is a productive working environment
  • ensure you inform your manager of any additional support you need
  • find a safe place to store your belongings throughout the day
  • be proactive
  • ensure you know what is expected of you in the job

Volunteering 

Volunteering is a wonderful way for you to experience new environments and try new skills without the pressure of a paid position. Volunteering enables you to build up your skills developing you to be work ready. It is also a great way to work out what career you may wish to work in. You may also meet new people and make new friends within your local community.

Volunteering can connect you with other people, builds self-confidence and self esteem, improve your physical and mental health, give you purpose and a positive outlook on life along with, helping other and giving back to your local community.

How to find volunteering opportunities?

Finding opportunities in your local area may take a little bit of investigation.

Firstly, if you are still in an education setting speak with your Key worker or Careers leader or advisor for help.

Secondly, write a list of local places you would like to volunteer at, things that you have an interest in or place you have a skill that would match. Approach these places (with parent or guardian support) to see if they have any opportunities for you.

Thirdly, you can follow the links in the signposting sections for contacts for volunteering in Worcestershire.