Customer case studies
Stephen Lavery
Steve attends Bury EST two days a week to work on his confidence, independence and employability skills with the ultimate aim to find paid employment. He has worked in all areas of the park and particularly enjoys working in the bike hub with James one of our support workers, where they carry out bike maintenance and refurbish second hand bikes. Steve has undertaken a couple of work experience placements whilst at Bury EST one at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and more recently at Re-Build Bury.
Here is what Steve had to say about his Pennine Care placement:
"I am so grateful to Pennine Care for giving me the opportunity to do this placement and gain knowledge of what a work atmosphere is like. As each week passed I really started to grow in confidence doing jobs for them and I felt good knowing I could help."
"Picturing my life 12 months ago I did not think I would have ever got this opportunity. It just proves that there are lovely people out there willing to give me a chance and I will be forever grateful".
Joel
Joel, a young man with autism, has been able to get a dream job thanks to the support of Bury Employment Support and Training (Bury EST). It was while getting to know Joel that a member of the team noticed he had excellent knowledge around action figures and that one of his hobbies was Lego creation.
Joel has attended Bury EST for life skills training and employability, and has tried various work placements. Although he said he had enjoyed them he did not feel fulfilled within some of the roles. He has fantastic customer skills and his organisational skills are exceptional, and always gives of his best.
Joel was given an 8-week placement at Smyths Toy store, and become a valued member of the team. He was given specific roles using his organisational skills such as price tagging, shelf stocking and arranging deliveries and spent time on the shop floor.
After his placement was finished the manager of the store was so impressed that she created a seasonal job for him using his skills. Joel was ecstatic.
With the help of his Bury EST placement officer he was given a working interview and went through the Induction process.
Joel has received fantastic feedback from customers visiting the store and is super proud of his achievements.
Staff have even commented that they know which aisle Joel had price tagged because it is so organised and perfect.
Michael Jameson
Michael is another young man who has been supported to work as a web designer.
He said: "I first started working with Bury EST in early 2022 where they helped me find work through looking at different job sites and going to companies that had job roles that I am interested in.
"Bury EST also offered support at interviews whether it was online or face to face. They helped me get my current job which I initially got through work experience which is thanks to Bury EST. Overall, I wouldn’t be in the position I am in now if it wasn’t for Bury EST."
Work experience was a beneficial way of showing employers what Michael’s capabilities were and still are. After completing an 8 week work experience Michael secured paid employment within the company with support offered to both Michael and the employers.
Olivia Wilson
Olivia has secured employment in the past but was unable to retain the employment.
Olivia was diagnosed with autism at 25 years of age and due to the late diagnosis, there wasn’t an opportunity for employers to be aware of this, thus leading to no adjustments being put into place for Olivia.
Olivia is very proactive in applying for work and is an extremely dedicated, committed individual in finding paid employment. Through my support with work search and mock interviews, Olivia has attended several interviews and has now been offered a position and will commence work within the upcoming weeks as a Support Worker for young adults with additional needs.
"I feel very supported by Sue and other staff at BEST they have help me to become confident in my skills. Sue has supported me a lot with job applications and interviews. She has helped me so much with navigating feeling overwhelmed and helping me to see situations from a different perspective.
"More services like BEST should exist because autistic adults still need support after 18 and onwards. I feel more confident going into the workplace as a medium support needs autistic adult after working with Sue. Thank you for making me feel like my needs and feelings are valid and all you do Sue and all the staff at BEST!"