Kyle’s Story

Kyle

 Kyle has been unemployed for 18months, following being made redundant from his previous role. Despite his years of experience and skills, Kyle has found it difficult to find work due him having learning disabilities and potential employers are finding this difficult to accommodate, despite him being a great worker. Originally he joined Access Ability as part of the Remploy Factory Closures under the Connect project funded by Community Support Fund (CSF) in August 2013, he was only with us for a short time as he was helped successfully into employment. He then returned to the project in Burnley mid due to his role no longer being available in his new employment due to restructuring.

Progress he has made……

Since starting with the Connect Project Kyle has engaged in a variety of training, volunteering and leisure opportunities. These sessions have encouraged Kyle to try new things as well as develop his skills and confidence. Kyle is now an active volunteer of the Access Ability Walks Project on a weekly basis.

 Working in collaboration with Re:Fresh and the Ramblers Association, Kyle attended the 12 week Access Ability Walks project in October – December 2014. Due to the success of the project, Access Ability was successful in obtaining some funding from People’s Postcode Community Trust, this has allowed Kyle’s transition from being a walker to a walk leader. This has made his time since being made redundant and seeking paid employment a more positive, supported and social experience.

This partnership working has been pivotal in Kyles’s progress to become a walk leader, leading or assisting, build new relationships and also increasing his self confidence. These are also skills that are increasing his employability skills for potential employers.

Through support funding received by Access Ability, we have been able to support and enable Kyle to engage within his local community and have strong links to adapt training customised to his learning style.

Zoe, Operations Manager said, “Kyle is a key volunteer when it comes to our walks project. He is fully committed, turns up whatever the weather and even travels a 1 hour journey on public transport to lead or back mark on the walks, then travels back home. Kyle is a man of very few words, but his communication and social skills have come on leaps and bounds since I first met him back in August 2013. It has been a pleasure to watch his journey with Access Ability as we continue to support him in were possible, the next step hopefully into employment. We thank him dearly for all his hard work and efforts, he is a great asset to Access Ability”

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