WorkFit recently had the pleasure of attending the Adept Annual A-Grade Service Awards 2025, a special evening which celebrated the outstanding contributions of Adept’s employees. At the awards, WorkFit candidate, Luke, who works as a Concierge Assistant for Adept took home the ‘Helping Communities Thrive’ award.
WorkFit has partnered with Adept Corporate Services since 2022, and has successfully onboarded three WorkFit candidates into permanent, paid positions. Adept have embedded inclusive recruitment as an integral part of their business and are currently exploring further areas to create roles across the UK in a bid to transform the security industry.
Nick Cooper, Managing Director of Adept has been a passionate advocate for raising awareness that people with learning disabilities can work, if they are given the right support and opportunity to do so. Nick has taken an active role in ensuring there is a strong emphasis on professional development for candidates, which has resulted in regularly reviewing candidates’ responsibilities to ensure there is the correct level of challenge.
Nick said:
‘Disability inclusion is deeply personal to us all at Adept. Working with the Down’s Syndrome Association and having the opportunity to employ remarkable young people has been incredibly rewarding for Adept, our colleagues and clients.
‘Their contributions have not only enriched our team but also taught us valuable lessons in patience, empathy, and the true meaning of diversity. We believe everyone has unique strengths to offer, and it’s our responsibility to create a workplace where those strengths can shine.’
Adept started their journey when Luke joined as a Concierge Assistant in the front of house team in April 2024.
Luke has thrived in his position with Adept and has taken on additional responsibilities by getting involved with the Living Wage Foundation. Luke has presented at the Living Wage events, sharing his experience of working in the Greater Manchester region in the security sector.
Left: Luke with Andy Burnham, Mayor of Manchester. Right: Luke is with Paul Howard, Security and Operations Manager for Adept at the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter Awards.
Luke said:
‘I love working for Adept because I learn new skills, make new friends all the time and I get my own money to spend on the things I like.
‘I was really proud to win an Employee of the Year Award because now I know that I am doing a good job for Adept. And because I love giving speeches!!’
Luke’s parents reflected on his progress since he joined Adept:
‘Since day one the Adept staff have supported Luke brilliantly and he settled into his new role incredibly quickly as a result. He loves the responsibility he has; to undergo his weekly checks with his iPad; to operate the walkie-talkies; to utilise his pass-card to allow visitors through the secure gates; and to work with the reception team booking in visitors. Each week he prepares his uniform the evening before, and he bounces out of bed ready for work.
‘The Adept team have given him so many opportunities to learn new skills, to build new relationships with his work buddies and participate in work social events. Luke was not shy socially prior to joining Adept, but he is now learning the differences between professional formality and social interactions, and it is expanding his skillset even further. He is very proud to be an Adept employee, earning his own money and being part of a team. The extra-curricular activities he has been able to participate in, such as the Adept podcast and at various events as a speaker on the Living wage have also helped his communication skills and his control in those public situations.
‘As Luke’s parents , we are fully included in all the decisions Adept make in relation to Luke and are made to feel a big part of the extended Adept family.
‘We have watched Luke’s growth from teenager to young man with great pride. His time with this wonderful company has increased his sense of independence, self-confidence and responsibility, and we have felt the benefit of this at home with Luke also. As parents, knowing he is working for a company that takes great care of their employees provides great comfort to us and we are very grateful to the Downs Syndrome Workfit team that matched him to Adept and the Adept staff who have made him a big part of their corporate family. Long may it continue.’
In October 2024, Adept supported Matt to join the team as a Security and Facilities Assistant.
Matt is responsible for welcoming people to the site, checking parcels, visitor badges and carrying out security checks around the building. Matt has settled into the team brilliantly and is looking forward to getting involved in the charity events that are hosted by Adept.
In March 2025, Adept welcomed their most recent recruit, Josh.
Josh is a Café Host and is responsible for serving customers, cleaning tables down and setting tables for guests and events at the Leeds Dock site. Adept are currently working to onboard their fourth WorkFit candidate to the business in April 2025.
Adept has promoted the onboarding of candidates with Down’s Syndrome on LinkedIn, their podcast and through sharing the WorkFit programme with their clients across the UK. Adept has celebrated and shared the benefits of onboarding candidates with Down’s Syndrome across the security and facilities sector at various cross company events.
We are very grateful to Adept Corporate Services for their continued dedication to the WorkFit programme.
To find out more about WorkFit and how we support people who have Down’s Syndrome to access meaningful work opportunities that can benefit the rest of their lives, please contact the team on 0333 1212 300 or email us on dsworkfit@downs-syndrome.org.uk.
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