DSA member Stephanie is midway through her exciting placement at multi-national pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline.
She is part of Project Search hosted by GSK, a scheme to help people with learning disabilities get into work.
“I started my second placement on Monday 7 January on the reception desk at the gym. Anyone who works at Glaxo can join and can use it during their working hours. There are also fitness classes like Zumba, Spinning, Legs, Bums and Tums to do as well as using the equipment. My duties are to answer the telephone and book people in on the computer system, give out registrations forms and file them afterwards into folders.”
Stephanie has been working at GSK since September 2012. She got the position through the DSA’s WorkFit programme, which supports candidates in finding opportunities to develop their skills and supports employers in recruiting people with Down’s syndrome. The one-year full-time course at GSK involves classroom time and work experience.
“In the classroom we make notes on qualification I be doing for city and guilds employability and personal development. Then we have a break then go back for the work placement then we have lunch at 12.00pm till 1.00pm then go back to work placement and when I finish we go back to the classroom and talk about your day at your work placement.”
The students are supported full-time by a College tutor, and by a supported employment adviser and job coach. After a successful year students obtain a City & Guilds in Employment & Personal Development with work experience in three different work environments. WorkFit will help support the candidates into paid employment after the internship. Stephanie takes her responsibilities seriously, but also enjoys her work.
“I clean the equipment after someone has used it. I also sort out clean towels and then collect the dirty towels into the trolley. I check the shower cubicles to make sure they are clean and tidy. I am enjoying this placement as everyone is helping me to keep fit and healthy. This week I have joined in with a running club, Zumba, Legs, Bums and Tums class. I have even lost 2 lbs in weight!”
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For more information about WorkFit please contact the team on 0333 1212 300 or email us on dsworkfit@downs-syndrome.org.uk
If you would like to find a job with WorkFit, click here to register now!
If you are an employer and would like to find out more about WorkFit click here.