WorkFit has recently been working with Sarah who told us that she was keen to work in an administrative role to build on her previous experience.
WorkFit have built a strong partnership with XPO Logistics over the last 2 years and we were delighted to be approached by Carla Richards from the Kegworth site about potential opportunities. Following some initial discussions and the development of a job description, WorkFit provided free training to seven of the staff there to help them to support Sarah and it was great to see them understanding more about Down’s syndrome and learning about how to support people who have Down’s syndrome to be successful in their jobs.
WorkFit Employment Development Manager, Alison Thwaite discussed the opportunity with Sarah, and she attended an informal interview with her father, Norman. Follow
ing the interview, she had a look round the offices and found out more about the job. Alison attended the interview via an online video call which worked very well. After the interview Sarah was offered the job and at the end of September, she started her paid role as an Administrator, working 12 hours a week over 3 days, doing work for HR to support the processing of staff salaries and holidays.
Sarah told us “I have just started a new job at XPO Logistics in Kegworth, Derby. I am on a six month contract. It takes me about 45 minutes to drive there, and I have my own car which is adjusted to my needs because I am disabled. This is not related to my Down’s syndrome, but due to a spinal injury.
My job is to keep track of everyone’s attendances, and all the absences, holidays, and sick days. I enjoy it very much and it is a bit different to anything I have done before.
I work with the HR team, and Carla is head of the team as HR advisor. Becky and Rob are the people I report back to (pictured). Becky, and also Tracy and Holly have helped train me up for this job. A big thank you to Alison Thwaite from DS WorkFit and everyone who has helped me get this job and has made me feel very welcome”.
Since starting in the job Sarah has put her skills to good use and learned how to use the company’s software systems as well as expanding her social circle and earning her own money.
HR Advisor, Carla Richards, (pictured right) has seen WorkFit in action at another XPO site in Bedworth where she was part of the team who welcomed Tom to a job back in February of this year.
She told us “Sarah is doing an amazing job for us here at EMG, she has settled in very quickly and is already a big part of the team. Sarah looks after attendance hours ready for payroll submission for agency and core employees working in our copack operation. We look forward to seeing Sarah grow and develop over the coming months. I would like to give a big thanks to WorkFit, in particular Alison, who has worked with us over recent months to be able to make this happen. As an organisation we strive to make our work places more inclusive and diverse and we are so happy that we could bring that to life here at EMG”
Despite the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, WorkFit continues to deliver outcomes for people who have Down’s syndrome, their families, employers and co-workers/employees. WorkFit is actively supporting people who have Down’s syndrome into employment opportunities and encouraging them and their families to consider various types of work as realistic and feasible options.
WorkFit supports people who have Down’s syndrome to access meaningful work opportunities that can benefit the rest of their lives.
For more information about WorkFit please contact the team on 0333 12 12 300 or email us at: dsworkfit@downs-syndrome.org.uk
For more information, visit the WorkFit website: www.dsworkfit.org.uk
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