Ian, who is 35 and lives in Borth, has been in and out of seasonal jobs for a number of years, mainly in cleaning and customer service-based roles.
A very motivated and organised person, Ian has autism, and understands his condition very well, but sometimes struggled to communicate when completing paperwork, or organising shift patterns.
Ian approached the Local Supported Employment (LSE) scheme in the hopes of gaining support to find a job after finding himself out of work. The scheme is delivered by Ceredigion County Council’s Employability Support Team. It was important that Ian was able to earn money and find stability through work in his local area.
Following support from the team, Ian managed to secure two jobs in Borth, which he enjoys. He feels that if any worries or concerns arise, he can get in touch with his mentor for support.
Having a mentor has given Ian the confidence boost and independence that he needed in order to succeed in his jobs. Mentors can facilitate strong working relationships between employees and employers to ensure good outcomes for all.
Ian said: “Knowing my mentor is supporting me in work has given me more confidence to perform well in my jobs, and the confidence has given me a renewed sense of self-worth and the ability to do the best things for myself.”
A Ceredigion County Council spokesperson said: “Ian is a prime example of how schemes such as Local Supported Employment can benefit everyone. His willingness to learn, along with his proactiveness, has secured him two jobs in his local area. If you, or someone you know, would benefit from the LSE scheme, then please do get in touch for a chat.”
Support is provided locally by Ceredigion County Council's Employability Support Team through the Local Supported Employment scheme. The scheme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions in partnership with Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire County Councils. The project provides support for people aged 16 and up who have a learning disability, or autism, to support them in securing sustainable employment.
To find out more about the services we provide in Ceredigion, email TCC-EST@ceredigion.gov.uk or call 01970 633422. You can also keep up to date with our activities by following our social media channels: Cymorth Gwaith Ceredigion Work Support on Facebook and @CymorthGwaithCeredWorkSupport on Instagram.
05/04/2024