Supported Employment
Bradley Smith
Bradley joined the supported internship programme in September 2022 with limited previous experience of the working world. He required support with confidence, employability skills and time management to help him with his next steps into employment.
A placement was secured for Bradley in a dog grooming parlour where he has worked extremely hard to impress his employer and achieve the 200 hours needed for a successful work placement.
Bradley has grown in confidence and has successfully worked on his customer service skills since the start of the programme. This means that Bradley can now confidently contact owners independently to arrange collection and interacts with customers with enthusiasm.
Bradley also now has a greater understanding and ability to handle a variety of dogs with confidence. This has resulted in Bradley taking full ownership of washing and drying each dog, as required, independently.
Bradleys newfound skills have enabled him to offer support to peers including placement students. Bradley is able to use his initiative to share his knowledge surrounding a range of techniques in caring for dogs and aspects of grooming. His employers continue to be impressed by his work ethic, skills and knowledge.
As a result of his experience Bradley has secured a place on a Level 2 course at Rodbaston College in Dog Grooming starting Sept 2023
Feedback from placement:
'Bradley has improved in so many ways in the last 9 months, becoming more self-assured around new people and being more confident with handling the dogs. Bradley grew in confidence and ability throughout his placement. The backup and guidance he received from Melissa went a long way to giving this young man a bright future.' Ruth Dapper Dogs.
Chelsea Larner
Chelsea joined the Supported Internship programme in September 2022 with no previous experience of the working world. Chelsea therefore needed support and guidance to help her become more independent and used to the world of work. Chelsea also needed help with confidence, employability skills and communication skills to help her with her next steps into employment.
Chelsea wanted to explore the retail industry so we soon found her a placement working in a shop, where she completed the 200 hours needed for her course.
Over the 200 hours, Chelsea has grown in confidence and has become a valuable member of the team. The staff worked with Chelsea to find her niche, which was sorting clothing donations, checking for any defects, tagging them and putting them out to display. Chelsea soon became known as 'The Quality Controller' as she had a skill of finding any marks, missing buttons or defects.
Chelsea now has a better understanding of retail and the importance of ensuring garments are displayed appropriately. Chelsea has massively improved her communication skills by speaking to colleagues and customers.
Chelsea worked closely with her work coaches to set targets to improve her employability skills. Chelsea has impressed everyone at her placement and her work coaches as she becomes more independent in her abilities.
Chelsea's employers continue to be impressed by their work ethic, skills and knowledge.
As a result of this experience Chelsea is continuing to improve her employability skills by continuing to volunteer in the retail industry.
Samuel Wilkie
Upon joining the supported internship programme in September 2022 with no previous experience of employment, Samuel needed a lot of support to help him become ready for the world of work. Samuel would need support with understanding, initiative and employability skills to help him with his next steps into employment.
Samuel has a keen interest in Performing Arts, so a placement at The Grand Theatre was found. Samuel has worked extremely hard to impress his employer and achieve the 200 hours needed for a successful work placement.
Samuel soon settled in and became a well-respected and valued member of the team.
Samuel soon realised he had an incredible ability to welcome customers into the theatre. Samuel received some excellent feedback from a customer after their visit to the theatre: 'I've just returned home after watching a show at the Grand. I want to pass on my comments about the gentleman working in the grand circle on the left-hand side, the gentleman was wearing a white shirt and red lanyard but not full uniform. I attend theatres a lot and I have never met such a pleasant and helpful member of staff; it was so lovely seeing a member of staff enjoying themselves at the same time as providing an unforgettable experience. You really do have an asset in this individual.'
It became obvious that Samuel had an incredible ability to communicate effectively and make customers feel welcome.
As a result of his experience Samuel has started volunteering at Moseley Old Hall as a 'Meet and Greeter', which he is thoroughly enjoying.
Feedback from placement:
'Sam became more independent throughout his time at the theatre, making strong progress learning the role of the usher. His communication skills are good, and he always managed to put a smile on the faces of staff and customers alike. He had a clear passion for his work, and now enjoys visiting the theatre to watch our performances. He was always on time, and no trouble to manage. He was committed to learning and always kept a positive attitude.' The Grand Theatre Manager
Sheridan Coghlan
Sheridan joined the supported internship in September 2022 with no previous experience of employment. Sheridan was very interested in finding out more about retail, we therefore sourced her a placement in a shop.
Sheridan needed support in improving her employability skills, specifically with her money handling, communication skills, using her initiative and customer service skills.
Sheridan worked closely with her work coaches to put strategies in place to work on these areas. She would set targets with her work coaches to help her make improvements in these areas to become more employable.
Upon starting her placement Sheridan experienced working in the warehouse to sort, organise and label items, on the shop floor displaying items and displays and serving customers and, in the kitchen, washing up and cleaning tables away. Sheridan realised she liked all aspects of the role so enjoyed spending time doing each.
This gave Sheridan an excellent all round understanding of a variety of employability skills, helping her to become more employable.
As a result of this experience Sheridan is continuing to carry out work experience in the same setting, gaining and improving those skills ready for the world of work!
