When Jess came to Transition2 in September 2017 she lacked confidence and belief in her own abilities. Working alongside her EHCP outcomes, with input from Jess and her circle of support, staff at Transition2 set targets to help increase her confidence, perseverance and develop her self-management and vocational skills.
By the end of her first year she had improved in many areas. She developed new skills, such as going to the local shop independently. Steps such as this, and gaining autonomy over her appearance, gave her increasing confidence and made her feel “grown up”. As a consequence of this her ability to self-manage and her readiness for work also increased.
Progress and work opportunities
Towards the end of 2018 Jess started her first volunteering job at a children’s play centre. This is a varied role which includes clearing tables, wiping surfaces, vacuuming, tidying the ball pit, and interacting with the children. Jess gradually increased the amount of hours that she worked so that it became a sustainable outcome after College.
The following year, Jess spoke to her College Key Worker about finding more opportunities to work with children. Their research led them to an indoor climbing centre with a café and a children’s play area. Jess was successful in getting work experience one afternoon a week as a Clipper. In this role, she helps secure children onto the climbing ropes, monitors the walls, and keeps the arena safe and clean.
After gaining the confidence to leave home and move into supported living with her friends, she found another work opportunity at a café in her local community. During this time, she gained her food hygiene certificate so she could prepare food safely.
Jess graduated from Transition2 in the summer of 2019. She now happily continues working at all three placements without any external support, achieving sustainable outcomes far greater than she could have ever believed possible back in 2017.