Connect to Work Connor's Story video transcript

This transcript is for a video on the Connect to Work for jobseekers page.

[Connor, wearing a Hobbycraft uniform, walks outside the store and is then interviewed in front of the Hobbycraft building. An on-screen caption identifies him as “Connor Williams, Store Colleague – Hobbycraft”.]

Connor Williams: "I heard about Connect to Work after my internship at Lily's Social Kitchen. I was passed over and I've been with the service since then".

[Ella is interviewed inside Hobbycraft beside shelves of coloured yarn. An on-screen caption identifies her as “Ella Hemming, Employment Specialist”. The Connect to Work graphic states “Funded by UK Government” and includes The Education People logo. Cutaway shots show Connor working in the store.]

Ella Hemming: "Connect to work is different because it's person centred, so it's all about getting to know the individual. We work on confidence to help them job search. We will also support at the interview if required. And we can job coach as well."

[Connor is shown speaking inside the store. Cutaways show him with Ella near a staff information board.]

Connor Williams: "I just was at the time struggling because I couldn't really find many jobs ones that I'd applied for either came back with you're not the right fit or anything. I was a bit upset to be honest."

[Ella speaks while footage shows Connor and Ella talking in the store and Connor carrying out tasks independently.]

Ella Hemming: "Came to Hobbycraft, he had applied independently. We were really focused around Hobbycraft because of his passion for art. Came in, had the interview. Connor did so well. Found that he'd got it. They had created a role for him because they were so impressed with him at the interview. And then I've been job coaching since."

[Connor describes the support he received. Footage shows him and Ella together at work and Connor carrying out store duties.]

Connor Williams: "Ella has given me plenty of support. In the beginning, she came in with me on the start to my shift and would stay with me for the whole shift, and I gradually she stepped back. She's come in for a little bit, until now she's stopped coming altogether. So I'm doing it all independently."

[Ella explains the induction, reasonable adjustments and communication support. Cutaways show Connor, Ella and Hobbycraft staff discussing work, Connor using a notepad and working at a till, and Connor completing tasks around the store.]

Ella Hemming: "We've done the induction together. Which Hobbycraft differentiated for him. It was seamless, Connor would never have known. kind of the breakdown of the induction, to make sure that he felt confident, felt like he could ask questions. The reasonable adjustments isn't anything huge. It was just things like having one key member of staff to talk to, to kind of build up that confidence around asking. I mean, he's done incredible and he can ask anyone now.

"After Connor got his job offer, we created an autism communication passport. We thought about the different parts of communication that he might find difficult in a paid working environment. We did a glossary for Connor as well. So those kind of industry specific or even store specific terms was available to him.

"In regards of the employer at Hobbycraft, we've had really open, honest conversations. So making sure that Connor is fulfilling that role one to the best of his ability, but also to make sure that the store is working with him together to make sure that when he comes in, if he's needed on the tills and needed to be till trained, which was something new to him, he's been able to build up those skills."

[Zoe is interviewed in Hobbycraft beside shelves of coloured craft paper. An on-screen caption identifies her as “Zoe Munro, Team Leader – Hobbycraft”. Cutaways show Zoe supporting Connor at a till.]

Zoe Munro: "When Connor started, he was quite shy and now he's really confident in Hobbycraft. He's gained some lovely reviews from customers saying how professional he is. The team were really proud of him for getting that review, and it's great to see him part of our Hobbycraft family."

[Ella speaks about sustained employment while Connor is shown working in the store.]

Ella Hemming: "Through what we do It's all about sustained employment and making sure that he feels confident and comfortable."

[Connor speaks about his increased confidence and enjoyment of the role. Footage shows him serving customers, stocking shelves, working at the till and walking through the store.]

Connor Williams: "Not only have I managed to gain confidence and do all of this job searching and getting a job, which is something, honestly, it was very daunting to me at the start, I am able to just work in a place that I'm very much familiar with. Like I'm very familiar with Hobbycraft, and I'm passionate about my art. So to be here, it's like a dream come true, really.

The service is great. It helps get your foot in the door, gets your confidence up, and it helps you find your place in the job searching world. So I’d highly recommend anyone to like give this service a try."

[Connor walks down an aisle between shelves of yarn and craft materials.]

End card: “CONNECT TO WORK – Funded by UK Government”. It asks: “Looking to find meaningful employment, or improve inclusivity in your workplace? Find our contact details online: kent.gov.uk/connecttowork”.

QR code appears alongside Medway Council and Kent County Council logos.