Two week work experience placement for someone with mild learning disabilities

Project description

Leonora took up a two week placement at Department of Health in December 2010. The Department met Leonora at an event organised by Time & Talents to support civil servants in developing volunteering projects with people with learning disabilities (aligned to the then PSA 16 Government targets).

Before the placement, a volunteer ‘buddy’ was nominated at the Department and a planning meeting was set up to design the placement around Leonora’s wants and goals.

Case study film

About this film: Reflections from Leonora about her work placement at the Department of Health, and her volunteer 'buddy', Celia..

Experience gained during the two weeks included:

Being part of a team of people who ran an event for Ministers and other senior staff. Helped with photocopying and put papers out on chairs
Packaging materials and liaising with the post room to send things out
Using the telephone for the first time in an office environment. Phoning stakeholders to get updated contact details
Supporting colleagues with various daily admin tasks
Working in a large office and getting to know professional people, e.g. lunch a few times with colleagues
Traveling to the office independently and arrived on time every day - furthest had traveled from home on own before. (Before commencement the placement practiced the journey a few times with a friend)

Volunteer buddy role included:

Meeting before the placement to plan Leonora's wants, goals, tasks and support
Listening and crafting the placement to suit the individual
Being flexible and supportive throughout the placement
Providing daily support on tasks and communicating clearly and openly
Offering friendship by giving a warm welcome and ongoing encouragement
Providing constructive and positive feedback at the end
Boosting Leonora's self confidence

"I was so emotional when they gave me a card and a big box of chocolates at the end. I really didn’t want to leave. They’ve given me the confidence that I can get a job and I can do it!"

Leonora, after her two week work placement at Dept of Health

Real experience in an office and working as a team, to help shape future aspirations

Gained concrete experience for CV and job interviews

Experience provided huge encouragement when feeling frustrated about being unemployed

Came away with increased confidence, self-belief and motivation

Process helped to identify key next steps. E.g. subsequently signed up to a local 12 week computer course

Developed work experience programme for young people, to involve someone with a learning disability

Gained greater awareness of the barriers people can face

Supported wider work of creating a diverse, open and accessible workplace

A successful relationship developed, that can inform and encourage future staff engagement projects

Demonstration of social action and inclusion in practice

Cross Government Workshop, March 2010: volunteering with people with disabilities learn more