Shannon was referred to the GREAT Project by her carer, who she had lived with for many years from Shared Lives through Leicestershire County Council.
She had attended a Special Needs school because of her moderate learning difficulties, but since leaving Shannon was struggling to find work right for her.
Shannon felt nervous about meeting her Employment Support Officer (ESO), Anita, at their initial meeting. Although Shannon gets anxious meeting new people she realised she needed support with her CV, interview skills and money management. Once signed up to the project, Anita spoke with Shannon about her barriers and goals, and designed a support plan tailored to her needs. Shannon wanted to overcome the barriers she faced to find employment in a care home, a sector she had previous work experience in.
Shannon said about her initial meeting with her GREAT Project ESO:
I didn’t know what to expect. I was very nervous because I am not very good meeting new people. When I first met Anita, I felt ok, she was nice. I was applying for jobs but wasn’t getting any. I thought why not give it a try.”
Taking a step towards her employment goal, Shannon attended an interview skills session. This workshop covers sourcing interviews, preparing for and learning from interview as well as a mock interview with feedback.
Shannon also met Anita for a one-to-one session to complete a new CV, cover letter writing and job searching. With Anita’s support, Shannon applied for roles in the care sector.
After attending several interviews, Shannon was offered a job with a local care company based in Hinckley. This is a company known to the GREAT project as a bespoke behind the scene tour was arranged by Business in the Community, a GREAT Project delivery partner, last year.
Anita, Shannon’s Employment Support Officer, said:
Shannon was an absolute pleasure to work with as she had a real desire to find work in an area she felt she would excel in. She was determined not to let her disability restrict her and this paid off! I’m so pleased for her especially as she is now in a job she wanted from the start.
Shannon started her new role in December.
The GREAT Project is funded by the European Social Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund. It is delivered by Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL).