To mark Learning Disability Week this week (16-22 June), we’re highlighting the work of our Reaching For Independence (RFI) service, which supports people with social care needs to develop life skills and promote independence.
The service offers short-term enabling support to people aged 17 years and upwards with eligible social care needs or likely to have them.
It is focussed on helping people to gain the skills and confidence to live independently, to use community facilities and services independently, or to take up new opportunities such as starting paid employment.
Over the past year, RFI has helped support over 100 people into either paid employment or a work experience opportunity.
Among them is James, who is now starting his second season at Haven’s Devon Cliffs holiday park in Exmouth, working as a food and drink delivery driver.
When applying for the role, James was supported by Paul Trimming, a Community Enabler from the RFI team.
James said: “Paul helped me get this job. He gave me a lot of confidence and also helped me in the interview. As soon as I got this job they were very understanding of my disabilities. They let me have breaks at set times so I can take my medication, and if I’ve needed time off they’ve been understanding.”
It’s fair to say James loves his job, and with it comes the added benefit of being able to do more in his spare time, earning enough to take his first holiday in years.
“Working for Haven has given me independence,” he adds. “It’s made me so much happier because I’ve managed to make lots of nice friends and I saved enough money to go on holiday to Benidorm last November.”
Paul Trimming, from our Reaching For Independence service, said: “James is a star. He did all the hard work. I was literally just a supporting hand, helping him to build his confidence and for him to gain that extra little bit of self-esteem that he needed.
“He asked me to go along and support at his interview, which I duly did, and that was an opportunity not only for him to express himself and all his qualities but also for me to mention to Haven about his additional needs and requirements
“He has become a different individual; he feels wanted, he feels part of a team, he’s made new friends and it’s great they offered him a position again this year to reward his success.”
Andrew Rumsby, General Manager, Devon Cliffs, said: “Haven offers a wide variety of full and part time roles and as a Disability Confident employer, our commitment to accessibility continues throughout the recruitment process. Our hiring managers are equipped with guidance on adjustments that help candidates thrive as they transition into their roles with us. From school-leavers taking their first steps on the career ladder to individuals looking for employment over the summer months, many team members return to our parks year after year. James is a credit to Devon Cliffs, he’s a dedicated and valued member of our team.”
Councillor Richard Keeling, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said:
“Learning Disability Week is an opportunity to celebrate what people with a learning disability bring to society and to ensure they are included and valued in all aspects of life. Our Reaching for Independence team is making a huge difference to people’s lives and James is a shining example of that. He’s enjoying his job and it’s improved all aspects of his life. James should be extremely proud of what he’s achieved, and Haven and our Reaching For Independence service should be applauded for the support they’ve provided.”
The RFI service is available for people with a range of needs, including those with the most complex needs. It is also available to carers and young carers.
As well as supporting people into paid employment and work experience opportunities, over the past 12 months around 160 people have been helped to gain skills to support employment, such as CV writing and learning to use public transport to get to work.
For more information visit our Adult Social Care webpages.