In 2023, Ross Care partnered with Little Gate to provide a Supported Internship at East Sussex Wheelchair Service. Here you can read about his success story and those who’ve worked closely with him.

Hi, I'm Connor, and my story has some surprises. At first, I wanted to work with animals after finishing my diploma. But life had different plans for me, and now I'm a refurbishing engineer at the East Sussex Wheelchair Service.

This unexpected adventure began through a work experience project, a collaboration between the NHS Wheelchair Service and Little Gate Farm. Stepping into the service centre on that first day with my Job Coach, Paul, I had no inkling of how much I'd come to cherish the intricacies of reviving used wheelchairs.

I like finding problems and making sure everything works well, and that's what I do with wheelchairs. I pay close attention to details and can focus for a long time, which makes the job fun. And guess what? Ross Care offered me a paid job because they liked how committed I was.

But what makes this job special is the amazing people I work with. They made me feel like I belong - like I'm part of the team. The workplace is more than just a job; it's a place where I fit in. I never took my condition as a reason to hold me back. The work culture at Ross Care lets me be myself, expressing and behaving in the ways that make me comfortable.

I don’t have big plans for my future yet, but I feel like this is a great start!

Perspectives from those who supported Conner into the role:

 Little Gate Supported Employment is a charity that is based in Beckley, East Sussex. The charity is 10 years old this year and has been instrumental in securing 136 paid positions for individuals with learning disabilities and autism, a number that continues to grow. At Little Gate, we firmly believe that individuals with learning disabilities and autism deserve to lead purposeful and meaningful lives and should be given the opportunity to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

Our supported employment model, a proven method employed over decades, empowers individuals to not only secure paid employment but also excel in their roles, adapt to new workplace environments, and become invaluable assets to their employers.

Little Gate's Supported Employment approach revolves around the philosophy of aligning the right person with the right job. We meticulously match individuals' skills, ambitions, and interests with the specific needs of employers in East Sussex and Kent. Through in-depth discussions with businesses, we assess their requirements thoroughly, ensuring that our trainees are matched with suitable paid positions. This careful matching process not only fulfils the hiring needs of businesses but also leads to transformative outcomes, changing lives for the better.

Paul - Job Coach

We are delighted with Connor's successful start to his career at the East Sussex Wheelchair Service. In my role as a job coach, it is my responsibility to assist trainees in adapting to their new work environment. Connor's seamless integration into Ross Care has been truly impressive. Darren, the Workshop Engineer, and Tom, the Warehouse Manager, quickly recognised and appreciated his special abilities.

Since joining Ross Care, Connor has shown remarkable progress. His communication skills and social interactions with colleagues have significantly improved. Observing the positive change in his interactions at the Farm has been surprising to many of my colleagues. This success story brings me immense satisfaction, and I am proud to be a part of his journey at Ross Care.

Annette Cairns - Clinical, Quality and Governance Director

It is so great that Ross Care have been able to complete another work experience project with Little Gate Farm and that it has been such an overwhelming success for Connor and the East Sussex Wheelchair Service. I am very passionate about Ross Care working closely with in all our communities to offer apprenticeships and work experience, as well as creating opportunities for people with a disability to gain employment within our wheelchair contracts.

I think it is imperative that businesses across all sectors, consider the valuable contribution that people with a disability can bring to the workplace such as providing unique skillsets, improving morale and the overall company culture by enhancing diversity and raising awareness.

Maciej – Service Manager

At the core of our wheelchair service is the value of empowering individuals with disabilities. Taking it a step further, we teamed up with Little Gate Farm to offer a work experience opportunity. While we were hopeful about the positive outcomes, we were also mindful of managing risks and making necessary adjustments for a smooth integration.

Honestly, when I first met Connor with Paul and Jeev, I was a bit concerned about how well he would fit into the workplace.

However, those concerns were quickly dismissed as Connor displayed his work ethic and technical abilities. Luckily, around the same time, a paid position as a reconditioning engineer opened up, and Connor applied and got shortlisted. People with Autism often face challenges in finding job opportunities due to traditional recruitment methods, especially at the interview stage. Aware of this bias, we made some adjustments to the process, and Connor navigated through it effortlessly.

Connor's unique skills have brought fresh ideas to our company, encouraging us to look at things from a different perspective. I believe this experience will set an example for other organizations to provide job opportunities for talented individuals, not only with Autism but also with various other disabilities.

Jeev – Community Health and Engagement Officer

As a service that identifies that the societal barriers are what is preventing individuals from reaching that potential as described in the social model of disability, we collaborated with the Little Gate Farm in providing a work experience opportunity to a young person with autism. We also recognise the value of inclusion and diversity and how that can infuse a unique perspective on the work culture in the organisation.

At the project's inception, I approached it with an open mind, unsure of the outcomes. Today, I am thrilled to announce its resounding success, culminating in a paid work opportunity for Connor. In my opinion, this project sets a good example of the need for businesses to think beyond traditional methods of recruitment and look at the long-term benefits to society. It also showcases that people with disabilities possess a unique set of skills and perspectives that can bring innovation and novelty to the workplace.

The role of the Community Health and Engagement Officer is to bring insights from lived experience to service improvement. I am excited about the potential that we have unleashed with this project which will allow us to expand to providing work opportunities to individuals with other types of impairments as well.

Special gratitude is extended to Annette Cairns, our Clinical and Quality Director, for initiating and guiding this transformative project. My special gratitude goes to Sam Affonso (Regional Manager), Maciej Michalak (Service Centre Manager), Allison Brampton (Clinical Lead), Thomas Blair (Warehouse Manager) and Darren Wakeford (Workshop Engineer) for their unwavering support throughout the duration of this impactful initiative.

Tom – Warehouse Manager

Connor's a real gem in the warehouse and for the whole company. As the manager of the warehouse, sorting out the stock on the shelves was a big challenge for me. But Connor took it upon himself – I mean, it was all his idea. His urge to keep things super organized got us rethinking and coming up with cool new ways to manage our stock.

We understand that Connor doesn't engage with small talk but is very passionate on certain topics. The team fully embraced his personality and could see his vast potential, so it was easy for them to be patience and allow Connor to settle.

Initially, I had to be more mindful of Connor neglecting breaks and working continuously. However, there has been a notable transformation. He has become assertive, effectively articulating the challenges he encounters during work. It's rewarding to observe his evolving confidence and communication skills.

Darren – Work Buddy

When I first crossed paths with Connor, I got this vibe that he's got some serious potential. So, I raised my hand to be his work buddy and help him ease into the new workplace. Let me tell you, the guy's attention to detail and ability to focus is off the charts.

Contrary to the common understanding of individuals with Autism, he had very interesting social skills, in his own way, that needed uncovering. I have witnessed how the work has transformed him into a much more confident and assertive person. We dug deep and found out that, besides being work buddies, we share a love for history, linguistics, and all things nerdy. That common ground turned our work relationship into something awesome.

And let's talk about his sense of humour—it's like a puzzle sometimes, it is intriguing and special. It's such great having him around, making the workday way more enjoyable.

Working alongside Connor for the long haul? Absolute joy.