A Decade of Difference: Surrey Choices Celebrates 10 Years
Jacob Roger is a student at East Surrey College and through the help of EmployAbility, is completing his Supported Internship Programme at The Computer Shop, Merstham. He works every Tuesday and Wednesday 10.00am – 3.00pm during term time. Jacob is on the Autistic Spectrum and has Tourette’s Syndrome, Dyspraxia, ADHD and nystagmus (rapid involuntary movements of the eye) making it difficult for Jacob to initiate and maintain a conversation.
Jacob has completed his level 3 in Photography, he has always had a passion to work with computers and has a career goal to become an IT Technician. When searching for his placement with Surrey Choices EmployAbility team, Jacob was keen to work in a computer shop within in his local area. To Jacob’s delight, his Employment Support Specialist contacted The Computer Shop in Merstham to enquire about a supported internship. The Computer Shop had their reservations to take on any students, however with the guidance from Surrey Choices the manager agreed to a one-day job trial. Jacob was really excited to have this opportunity and completed the job trial leaving the store manager very impressed. Throughout Jacob’s first day he managed to fix 5 different devices with minimal support and no job coaching, the manager expressed that Jacob “exceeded his expectations and would love to have Jacob join the team”.
Throughout a supported internship, the employer and individual both have the option to receive support from an Employment Support Specialist. Jacob preferred to have no job coaching support from his Employment Support Specialist and the manager also felt as though Jacob did not require job coaching. After a few weeks within the programme, Jacob was learning lots and fitted in well within the team. Jacob is a visual learner so was hands on immediately. Through the help of the EmployAbility team, Jacob landed his dream placement, advancing his current skills and learning new ones. Some of these included managing practical problems and effectively solving troubleshooting. As a result of this, he started to see great potential within his placement and the environment, Jacob was even offered paid employment over the festive period.
While Jacob was enjoying his placement at The Computer Shop, he participated in a paid research project with the BBC who Surrey Choices secured many placements with in the past. Jacob was recorded through one-to-one interview to see how people use BBC Sound Apps. Jacob kept a diary of his experience using the app and fed back on improvements for the app.
Our EmployAbility team have many expert Employment Support Specialists who continue to help people like Jacob secure their dream work placements, voluntary jobs, internships and more. If you, a friend or a family member would like support into work from our EmployAbility team, please contact: 01483 806806 or email info@surreychoices.com.
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