Eleanor has proven that your disability doesn’t have to affect your ability to achieve amazing things!
Eleanor from Sussex has Cerebral Palsy and was supported by our delivery partner, Maximus UK on the Work and Health Programme to help her find work. Her Employment Adviser, Emma, worked with Eleanor to complete a Government Health Adjustment Passport to make it easier for her to disclose details of her Cerebral Palsy to potential employers.
Emma also supported her to identify her skills and build her confidence through mock interviews. She was also signposted to a Functional Skills course to complete her Maths GCSE.
The next step; finding work! Eleanor received support from the Regional Account Manager at Maximus UK to discuss live jobs and suitable vacancies, allowing her to explore realistic job goals and roles of interest that she might not otherwise have been aware of.
As she had previously volunteered at a local Vaccination Centre, she was able to draw on her experience of this when looking for opportunities. Eleanor identified a voluntary role that she was interested in and started as an Event Photographer for Lancing Parish Council, covering events such as the King’s Coronation. After impressing the team during her voluntary work, she was offered a paid role with the organisation and moved into employment!
Eleanor said: “I joined the Work and Health Programme because I needed some extra help in building my confidence to find work. I had applied for jobs previously with various companies, but I often felt overlooked due to my Cerebral Palsy, which knocked my confidence and caused me anxiety.
“My Employment Adviser and I discussed how doing some voluntary work would take the pressure off and help me to build confidence. Lancing Parish Council saw my potential and enthusiasm and offered me a paid position as their Administration Assistant, which I am now doing 30 hours a week. It was nerve wracking at the start, but very exciting!”
Employment Adviser, Emma, said, “I couldn’t be more thrilled for Eleanor, we have been working over the last few months to build confidence around going into the workplace and remind her of her fabulous skills and qualities. She has embraced the programme fully and is always open to ideas and is happy to get the most out of all our great support, such as her Seetec Pluss Wellbeing Coach and employability training sessions, whilst travelling to Brighton and Chichester to take part in all the programme has to offer.
“I look forward to continuing to support Eleanor through her In-Work support time on programme and just know she is going to smash this, as any employer is so lucky to have her on their team!”
Congratulations, Eleanor and all the team at Maximus UK! #NoOneLeftBehind
In partnership with Maximus UK. The Work and Health Programme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions.
