EmployAbility

Every person should be given the opportunity to gain meaningful employment.

Our nationally recognised, employment support service, EmployAbility helps to find work placements, volunteer opportunities and paid work for disabled people, autistic people, those with sensory needs and those with mental health problems.

Having a routine and developing skills is a great way to boost self-esteem, increase confidence and connect with other people.

What will our team do to help our customers in employment?

  • We work with our customers to identify their skills and aspirations for work.
  • We support our customers with creating a CV and job searching.
  • Benefit from interview preparation and support at interviews.
  • Our team work with both the customer and their employer to ensure everyone has all they need to complete the job.
  • The ‘keep in touch’ service is used to offer ongoing support for the customer and their employer.

Our ‘Place, Train, Maintain’ approach to Supported Employment will help develop skills at every stage of the process.

What do we do for employers in Surrey?

EmployAbility provides support to employers to help them to find the most talented workforce and to match the right person to the right role. We will provide our customers with advice, including disability awareness training, and ongoing support throughout the whole employment process. We strive to create a positive outcome for both a business and their employee.

Helping young people into work

We are proud to work with a number of schools and colleges across Surrey providing both work experience opportunities and supported internships. Learn more about supported internships here.

To help everyone understand the process that our customers will go through as a Surrey Choices customer we have outlined the different stages of the customer journey here.

Case Studies

Luke’s Story

Before the Coronavirus pandemic Luke left his job at a care home in search of a new challenge. So with the support of Carolyn, Employment Support Specialist at Surrey Choices they worked together to find a new job at a restaurant. On the day he was due to start, lockdown arrived leaving Luke unemployed.

 

After Lockdown

Throughout lockdown Carolyn found a job that fitted in with Luke’s existing qualifications as he has many transferable skills. After securing an interview at May Harris Multi Services Ltd in August, Luke received a phone call the next day from area manager Julie offering him the job. He is now employed by May Harris working at Elmbridge Borough Council.

 

Employment

During Luke’s first month at his new job. One of his managers got in touch with us to let us know how he was settling in:

 

Luke is doing brilliantly, he is always on time and has his own area to clean. He gets on well with everyone around him and works to a very high standard. He is polite, considerate and he always asks for advice if he doesn’t know about something. He is a brilliant member of staff.

To read the full story click on the link here

Chloe’s Story

Chloe started Future Choices in September and secured a role at Just 4 Kids, a charity shop for children in Camberley.

Chloe has impressed the manager so much that she is now working on the till, taking purchases and helping the customers more. This is something that not everybody is promoted to do.

 

Working over half term

During half term Chloe was heavily involved in making up the packed lunches for children who qualified for the free school meals. In total she helped make up over 500 lunch bags for those children in need!

 

Growing in the job

Chloe has a very good eye for detail, and is now creating displays using the toys that are donated. This is something not all volunteers at the shop get to do.

Chloe has gained so much during her time at Just 4 Kids. She has grown in confidence, and learned so many valuable new skills since volunteering there.

 

To read the full story click on the link here

For more information about our services and activities simply call 01483 806806