Kent Supported Employment - Success stories

Read the following experiences of people who have used Kent Supported Employment and see how it has helped them:

• Chloe
  "I always wanted to work with children and help them to learn.They (Kent Supported Employment) have helped me find a job in my local library."
• James
  "I work as a litter picker and look after the school grounds. My Kent Supported Employment Advisor supported me to find the job."
• Jamie
  "I chose to start working on The HANDS Project; this is a service for elderly and disabled people who are unable to maintain their own gardens."
• John
  "A job coach supported John to learn the new journey to Dover and he continues to thrive and flourish in his job."
• Lee
  "The best thing about my job is that I like to be busy and have plenty to do."
• Shaun
  "My Employment Advisor at Kent Supported Employment (KSE) gave me loads of support in getting into work at Tesco and I am very grateful for this."
• Nicky
  "I clean resident's rooms and help to serve tea and coffee."
• Peter
  "I feel much more confident and independent"
• Shaun W
  "With the help of Kent Supported Employment (KSE) I was able to get myself another job after redundancy and luckily in the same building I worked at before."
• Vince 
   "I can have enough money to go on holiday in the summer."
• Anonymous user 1
  "I am always treated with dignity and respect"
• Anonymous user 2 
  "I began to look for a job, and KSE helped me to complete job application forms, write a C.V and support me with any questions or worries."
  

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Chloe's story

"Kent Supported Employment have helped me to find places to work.

I always wanted to work with children and help them to learn.

They have helped me find a job in my local library. I am a baby rhyme time assistant. I sing songs and help the children play and learn.

I got support learning the bus route and times so I could get there on time.

I got support to learn the job and became confident.

Now they are helping me find a paid job in childcare."

James' story

"I work as a litter picker and look after the school grounds. My Kent Supported Employment Advisor supported me to find the job.

My job coach supported me on the job at first but now I am supported by the people I work with.

I live at home with my parents and work four hours a week at the school. This entitles me to my benefits and now extra money each week. I enjoy my job."

Jamie's story

"I first came into contact with Kent Supported Employment (KSE) based at Joynes House last year when I was on The Pathways to Work Programme. During the time I managed to secure a job as a Stores Operative for an organisation based in Medway. The job didn't work out for me because at the time, I wasn't ready for full time employment, I didn't even last the first day.

After this experience my depression took a turn for the worse and I met an Occupational Therapist whilst visiting my Psychiatrist. She suggested that I went on The Workstep Programme; I then called KSE to see if they were able to suggest how I could do this. After a few weeks I met the local Disability Employment Adviser in the local Job Centre and she referred me back to Kent Supported Employment.

I had been diagnosed with a Social Phobia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Extreme Anxiety and depression. For the past 5 years I had regular counselling from my Therapist, hadn't worked and had become recluse.

I started on The Workstep Programme in January this year, over the past few months I had started to build up such an open and honest relationship with my Employment Support Officer that I was able to talk about my difficulties. They suggested that I undertake an assessment for Basic Skills; I enrolled on a Maths course. This was a real turning point for me as it was the first time in 5 years I had social interaction with other people.

Over the course of the sessions my Employment Support Officer introduced me to one of his colleagues who spoke to me about his own life experiences, which seemed to mirror my own. This was another milestone as I realised the barriers I normally put up seem pointless.

Over the course of time I met with my Employment Support Officer we spoke about voluntary work. I realised that working in an office is too pressurised and not right for me and that I should try something different. The next step for me was a meeting at The Volunteer Bureau, during the session I was able to vocalise why I didn't want to work in an office and for the first time say no to someone.

I chose to start working on The HANDS Project; this is a service for elderly and disabled people who are unable to maintain their own gardens. I work with other people who also have disadvantages and the best part about it is nobody judges me.

I no longer feel the need to see my Therapist and recently I went to the pub with my brother, something I haven't done in more than 5 years.

I now feel the time is right for me to look for full time work. I feel that KSE and Workstep have given me confidence and belief to live a normal life that looking back on the top of this page, doesn't seem like me."

John's story

John needs an understanding and flexible approach to getting employment.

He talked about this with his Employment Adviser who arranged a work placement with Marks & Spencer through their Disabled Go scheme, and he completed his work placement successfully.

John was offered a job at the Folkestone branch but it closed down! So that he could keep his job, he was offered the choice of either working at the Canterbury or Dover stores.

He chose Dover but didn't know how to get there. A job coach supported John to learn the new journey to Dover and he continues to thrive and flourish in his job.

He is very popular with both customers and staff.

Lee's story

"I work at Wyevale Garden Centre; I help to put up displays, fill shelves and water the plant area.

The best thing about my job is that I like to be busy and have plenty to do."

Shaun's story

"My Employment Advisor at Kent Supported Employment (KSE) gave me loads of support in getting into work at Tesco and I am very grateful for this.

I would definitely recommend KSE to anyone who needs help finding work."

Nicky's story

"I work at Capel Grange Care Home as a housekeeping assistant. I clean resident's rooms and help to serve tea and coffee."

Peter's story

"I work as a handy man and a domestic assistant in an Arts Centre. Kent Supported Employment (KSE) gave me a job coach to help me stay in my job by supporting me at work.

My main duties involve cleaning the theatre and helping to construct the stage ready for performances. Now I feel much more confident and independent in managing my health and work life."

Shaun's story

"My name is Shaun Waddington and I have been working for the Disabilty Team, Bishops Terrace, at Kent County Council for about 6 months on a contract for 4 hours a week.

With the help of Kent Supported Employment (KSE) I was able to get myself another job after redundancy and luckily in the same building I worked at before.

My role is Admin Support. The job is varied and I never know what may come up from week to week which is good. I do the post which involves working with internal postroom to deliver and collect the post in town and at Bishops Terrace. I sometimes have to deliver urgent post to. I also shred confidential papers that then become recycling waste.

When I first started my job I had support from a Job Coach from KSE, we got on well and I was able to become independent at work much faster with the support. inte

I was able to give advice about my disability which also helped my independence at work.

I would like to thank everyone involved at KSE for helping me get a job, it gives me a reason to get up in the morning."

Vince's story

"My name is Vince and I live in supported accommodation. I work as a litter picker at two schools.

I am really proud to work as a litter picker and help to keep the school clean.

I work 16 hours a week which means I can have enough money to go on holiday in the summer."

Kent Supported Employment - Anonymous success stories

Story 1

"I was referred to Kent Supported Employment (KSE) by the Community Mental Health Team after I had a breakdown and lost my job. As an educated professional person I was sceptical about KSEs ability to help me. I already knew how to write a CV, complete an application form and give a good interview.

In addition, I had worked on similar programmes before and suspected meeting targets would take priority over my best interests. I've now been with KSE for about 18 months and none of my fears have come true! These are the things I like about KSE:

• I am always treated with dignity and respect
• no pressure, you can go at your own pace
• someone to talk possible jobs and volunteer opportunities through with even though I can fill in forms they stress me out so it's good to have help
• my advisor gives me deadlines which helps me not to put things off
• advice on benefits
• my advisor stops me from taking on too much when I'm up and think I can do anything
• he reminds me of my strong points when I'm down
• long term support "

Story 2

"I am a person with bi-polar and have been a patient in a psychiatric ward in a hospital and have endured episodes of psychosis. When I had recovered and was discharged from hospital, I moved into a house for people with mental health issues.

I began to look for voluntary work and Kent Supported Employment (KSE) provided support and advice to begin my career journey. We discussed various ideas together and I was delighted to be offered a voluntary job teaching singing in a local school. It was a very rewarding position.

In 2001, I auditioned for a music degree at Brunel University and was offered a place. The first two years were fantastic! However, I relapsed and had to defer the course for two years.

I am pleased to say that I finished the degree through part time study and when I graduated, KSE were still running after all those years!

I began to look for a job, and KSE helped me to complete job application forms, write a C.V and support me with any questions or worries.

Thanks to KSE, I am now in paid employment working as a customer support assistant in a Kent County Council (KCC) library where I am involved in a whole range of library tasks as well as leading the music session for the babies and toddlers.

I really appreciate all the help that KSE has given me. My Employment Adviser has been an advocate and a mentor for me and I can always contact her for any questions or concerns.

The KSE team are very friendly, hard working and have been an invaluable source of help throughout the years.I would highly recommend them to anyone and I feel blessed to have their support."