Shiu-Ming - having a job
Shiu-Ming already has a job but our team at Richmond and Wandsworth supported employment are helping him achieve his longer-term ambitions.
“I’m a person who is passionate about standing up for equal rights for disabled people" says Shiu-Ming. "When I was younger, I volunteered for the Youth Council Recruit Crew. I was on a panel interviewing candidates to work as social workers or youth workers. I also trained staff in workshops on diversity and how to communicate well with disabled people.”
“Becca (Employment Service Coordinator), helped me look for work, apply for jobs and we did a lot of interview practice together. She also arranged pre-interview visits for me with employers. I’m still a bit nervous about going to job interviews but this is normal for anyone. Becca gave me the option of coming along with me if I felt like I needed it.”
“I recently set up my own political group which is called Speak as 1. It’s all about people with disabilities having their voices heard by the government and employers. We meet once a month and are currently talking about what stops people with disabilities finding work.”
“We didn’t really find my current job; we were applying for something else. I was holding my political group at some offices and was asked to come in for a meeting. I thought this was going to be about my group, but it turned out that there was job available.”
“I went in for another meeting and didn’t alert Becca that an interview was going to happen. It didn’t feel like an interview. The manager wanted to get to know me. It was very laid back, which I didn’t mind. I got the job and I’m now working three days a week as a Business Trainee for a company called Beautifully Made. Each week I’m set a task to work on, yesterday I was making a bag. The company makes bags, notebooks, aprons, t-towels, and t-shirts etc. My job varies, I get put anywhere that needs help.”
“I’m gaining loads of skills at work and I’m still meeting up with Becca who is helping me learn more. She recently organised a public speaking course for me. My long-term ambition is to help other disabled people gain more motivation and self-esteem. Becca is helping me realise this dream.”
“I know I will have lots of opportunities coming up in the future. I feel like I’m heading in the right direction, it’s positive.”
I want to help employers understand more about the issues we face so that they can employ more people with disabilities. Shiu-Ming
