- What is your role?
I help develop services for young people with learning disabilities and specific needs who require support to live their lives. It's easy for people to settle for mediocre support but we aim to help them feel empowered. This can mean providing them with activities, supporting them to live independently, or helping them to travel. Often young people don't have a say in these things because others make assumptions about what they need.
- How did you get this job?
I've been working at Together Trust for 11 years. I started here as a support worker after volunteering at university to work with people with learning disabilities. I was only going to be here for six weeks before doing a postgraduate course in accountancy, but I've been here ever since. To me it's the best job in the world. You have so much fun with the young people and they see themselves as having value when you are working with them.
- What challenges do you face?
Apart from the usual budgetary ones, it's making sure that people see themselves as full citizens. It's a real culture shift moving from a special education focus, which is very fixed. Parents can also be resistant because of their child's vulnerability, so you have to chip away at their perceptions. It's great to see people feeling good about their achievements and parents feeling proud of their children.
- What keeps you motivated?
The big thing is being involved in people's lives. You are so important to that person. They do not have big networks of friends so they value your opinions, and share their emotions with you. It's very humbling. People who have worked with looked-after children are amazed by how great it is to work in the learning disabilities area. The culture is completely different and it's so positive.
- How will the trust develop?
I would like to see us take the model we have of 24/7 tenancies for people with autism and translate it into other areas.
