
Two Surrey Choices employees spoke of the opportunities on offer for children and young people with complex conditions at a Transition Training Day held at New Woking Hospice recently.
Christina Earl, Acting Operations Director, and Bobby Williams, Activity Facilitator from the Guildford Office Project, described how young people with a range of support needs can make the successful transition from children’s services to adult care if given the right opportunities.
Bobby, who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, spoke about his own journey from mainstream school through to a specialist college, before moving on to undertake apprenticeships at Surrey Choices where he assists customers with a range of physical and mental disabilities.
Bobby, said: “Since leaving school I’ve been lucky enough to secure employment through Surrey Choices EmployAbility service and the skills I’ve learnt have enabled me to go out into the workplace and not only make a real difference to other people’s lives, but also fulfill my own aspirations.
“The experience I’ve gained over the past few years has given me the confidence boost I needed to be able to go out in to the community and enjoy an active social life with my girlfriend and baby son.”
Christina, commented: “Too often in society we see individuals with complex needs struggling to make the successful transition from children’s services to adult care. Often they don’t receive the support that they need to make a success of it.
“We want to highlight to medical staff and other professionals that given the chance, these individuals can be active members of the community and are a real asset to any company on the lookout for trusted employees.”
The event was organised by Surrey Choices’ charity partner Shooting Star Chase and a variety of children’s and adult hospices across the South East and Surrey.
Surrey Choices EmployAbility service is a dedicated service that helps to find work placements, training, volunteer opportunities and paid work for individuals with autism or learning, physical and sensory disabilities.