The benefits of work experience
Surrey Choices celebrated with an inspirational story for the UN International day of persons with disabilities.
The 3rd December 2015 is the UN International day of persons with disabilities, with the theme this year of inclusion and employment.
To mark this awareness day, Surrey Choices celebrated the achievements of an incredible young man, Anton Brown, who not only conquered Mount Snowdon this year but has also started working for Surrey Choices to inspire others to keep fit and active.
Surrey Choices, a social care provider, supports people with a range of abilities to find the best care, activities and services for their needs across Surrey. Anton, aged 21, has a condition which affects his balance and co-ordination known as Friedreich’s Ataxia and has been in a wheelchair since the age of 12. Surrey Choices first starting working with Anton two years ago, when he began using the EmployAbility service.
Surrey Choices EmployAbility is a dedicated service that helps people to find work placements, training, volunteering opportunities and paid work for people with autism or a learning, physical or sensory disability. With the help of the EmployAbility service, Anton began working at Fresh Gym where he was a dedicated disability training specialist. With the help and support of his colleagues at Fresh Gym, Anton conquered Mount Snowdon in a ‘Mountain Trike’, a special off-road wheelchair featured on Dragons Den.
Since returning from his mountain adventure in October, Anton is now working for Surrey Choices as part of their Development of Fitness, Exercise and Healthy Lifestyles across the service. Supported by the EmployAbility Team, Anton is currently engaging with both community providers of exercise and David Weir, British Para-Olympian in meeting the aspirations of our Customers in achieving a quality of life through physical wellbeing.
Miriam Lloyd, Team Leader said: “We are thrilled to have Anton as a member of our team. He is proof that anything and everything is achievable when you adopt a positive outlook. Our working practices allow us to focus on every individual’s requirements; in this case, Anton’s interest and aspiration in the subject of Anatomy and Physiology. Our approach at EmployAbility is to never overlook the smaller details, as these could be the answer to the bigger solution and in this case, Anton’s inspirational achievements”.
Speaking of Surrey Choices Anton said: “The Surrey Choices EmployAbility service has really helped me in gaining valuable work experience. I am thoroughly enjoying working at Surrey Choices and I hope to encourage as many customers as possible to get into exercise.”
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