Dimensions Supported Employment Team help secure employment with Currys PC World
(PRWEB UK) 30 September 2013 -- Pursotam Patel, 38, has a keen interest in customer service, as well as technology. With the support of the Supported Employment Team at Dimensions, a national not-for-profit organisation which supports people with learning disabilities and autism, he now works at Currys PC World.
Pursotam says that having a job is really important for him to feel independent, stating: “Now I see myself in a different light!”
He added: “The day I walked in the Currys PC World store with my job coach to start my work experience was the happiest day of my life. I’m doing very well here. I’m happy with my colleagues and they’re happy with me as well. I’m enjoying every minute.”
Lillie Stoute, Dimensions’ Supported Employment Coordinator in Barnet, said that it was important to be able to give people with learning disabilities and autism the same opportunities as everyone else; enabling people to achieve goals, become more independent, meet new people and build their confidence.
She said: “Supported employment is also a way of also tackling prejudices and ensuring that community members recognise that people with learning disabilities and autism work hard and contribute in society.
“After visiting Currys PC World with his Job coach, Pursotam was taken on for work experience for one day a week. This then moved onto permanent paid employment. We were so pleased that a national company recognised his potential and have been so supportive throughout the process.”
Jayne Napthine, Team Leader at Currys PC World, Friern Barnet, said: “We were so pleased to offer Pursotam a permanent position. We recognised instantly what he would bring to the role and he’s really fitted in well.
Dimensions’ Employment Support Team provides expert advice and job coaching for people with learning disabilities and autism to gain employment, using various tools including job coaching and job matching. The team works directly with employers and supports both them and the employee throughout the process.
The organisation is very keen to help people with learning disabilities gain paid employment, challenging the theme that people with learning disabilities are often given unpaid, voluntary positions and therefore are less likely to be financially independent.
Any businesses interested in employing somebody supported by Dimensions, please contact Lillie on lillie(dot)stoute(at)dimensions-uk(dot)org
Notes to Editor
For further information, interviews or case studies, contact Kayley Worsley, PR and communications officer at Dimensions, on [e] kayley(dot)worsley(at)dimensions-uk(dot)org [t] 0300 303 9062 or 07983477838.
Dimensions is a specialist not-for-profit provider of support for people with learning disabilities and autism. It supports more than 3,000 people across England and Wales. For more information visit http://www.dimensions-uk.org.
Dimensions Supported Employment Team provides support to people with learning disabilities and Autism in Barnet.
Laura Williams, Dimensions UK, http://www.dimensions-uk.org/, +44 1249 715 990, [email protected]
Share this article