Case Studies
My name is Charlie. I am 21 years of age. I went to High school. It wasn’t the best place, but I did all my exams and got level 3s and led a normal life but then when I went to college everything changed. People were bullying me at college, and I got my hair burnt. I have learning difficulties and autism, and I have speaking and listening problems. This is probably why I was bullied. At college, I was doing Bridge Builder which is a course for those with learning difficulties who want to go into construction trades. I did painting and decorating, woodworking, plastering and bricklaying. I did 4 years at college and the funny thing is they didn’t have any more work for me. I passed all my exams. The only thing left for me to do was plumbing, so I left the college. Maths and English at college was not good so I decided to do them at a different college. Read more…
I work at Crag House Farm three days a week. The other two days I am at college. Currently I work in the farm shop, stocking the food and helping customers. Previously I worked in the plant nursery. They have a café where we sell refreshments and hot food too. I have to clean the glass shelves and display the food – biscuits, cakes, meat, sausages, pies and sausage rolls. Sometimes if it is busy I might also use the till. This is quite hard because it involves maths. I serve customers. I say, “Good morning, how are you, can I help you”. Sometimes they will ask me questions and ask to sample a cheese before they buy it. Read more…
I think the internship is fantastic for those who really want to get into a role and for gaining an insight into what work is like. The course leaders like to push you to do your best, but they won’t throw you in a t the deep end. They are there to help me if I need them.
My job coach is Jak. He likes me to try new things and to grow and to be independent.
I have recently done some travel training to help me travel by bus to the college in Headingley. This has helped me gain independence to travel by myself. Read more…
I have a weekly meeting with my job coach who talks me through ways to overcome any feelings of deregulation that I have. My job coach helps me with strategies to prevent my feelings from escalating and gives me techniques I can I use to help me calm down.
I have quite a few things I use to help me calm down – I can use my headphones and I also use a stress ball and my job coach is there if I need him. I have something called ‘assistive tech’ which goes straight through to my job coach and I can let him know how I am feeling. Even if he isn’t there then the assistive tech will still be there so I can still use it if I am struggling. Read more…
It is a nice environment, very welcoming and friendly. I wasn’t really speaking to many people when I started but I speak to more people now as I’ve got to know them more and as my confidence has grown. Starting work has helped me a lot and my job coach, Wendy, says she has noticed a difference in me. I like Wendy, she is my friend and we have a laugh together. If I get stuck at work I can get out my book of instructions that my job coach helped prepare for me. Read more…
