New-found confidence with work
Published on Friday, 01 December 2023
Reece had been unemployed before Covid. Although he was very motivated to find work, he struggled with interviews. Reece has a learning disability and his confidence had dropped significantly after some negative experiences at interviews.
Our team first met Reece in May 2022. It was evident that he would be fit for a non-clerical role with a supportive and patient employer. We identified that Arden Hotel would be a potential employer as they had already employed other residents with learning disabilities through us. They had been impressed with their performance.
We checked with Arden Hotel for vacancies available and introduced Reece. We accompanied him to a practical work trial after which he was immediately offered full time employment. He has quickly become a valued member of the team.
Our Supported Employment Engagement Officer Sarah Wilson commented: “It is always an absolute pleasure to work with supportive employers like Arden Hotel. It has led to employment for several residents. For some, finding employment has been life changing. They have found not only a supportive employer, but also a positive and nurturing work environment. It has been an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and achieve personal goals. There is no doubt that Arden Hotel has been instrumental in creating opportunities for our residents.”
Reece shared that he was proud to work for Arden Hotel. He felt happier in work than before. This opportunity has positive impacts on his life that enables him to make new friends and be able to help others. He was happy with his new-found financial independence and confidence.
Arden Hotel’s Manager Roy Nash shared: “The reason I fell in love with hospitality is that you have so many individuals with different stories and journeys to tell. You don’t need a degree or qualification to succeed. You just need to be passionate about the work that you do and working as part of a team. It’s great to see Reece achieving both, excelling in his work and being a key part of the team. We pride ourselves in providing opportunities for individuals to shine and show their talents. We ensure our training reflects each individual’s learning style. Sarah and the team at Solihull Council are fantastic support in helping us and our team members in accomplishing just that.”
Reece has worked at Arden Hotel since May 2022. He has been recognised in a Head of Departments’ meeting for his work ethic and willingness to help other departments. We continue to check with him and offer in-work support including free training to help him further develop his skills.
If you are out of work and looking for employment support, please contact our team with 0121 704 6869 or srtc@solihull.gov.uk.
If you are an employer and would like to get support for hiring more inclusively, you can also reach our team on 0121 704 6869 or employerengagementteam@solihull.gov.uk.