Someone we support working in a clothes shop

A new way of volunteering: Tim's story

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Tim joined SeeAbility earlier in 2022 as our very first Employer Engagement Volunteer. With over three decades of experience in HR, and several past volunteer roles, Tim felt this opportunity would make great use of his skills to support people with learning disabilities and autism to secure paid employment. 

Part of Tim’s role is to support the Ready, Willing & Able team to contact and liaise with local employers to offer them the opportunity to employ candidates in the programme.  

Tim says: “My aim is to find a good ‘fit’ between candidates and jobs, and endeavour to put the two together through the work of our supported employment coaches.”  

According to Tim, it’s all about the positives: 

“Each job seeker has their own preferences, skills, experiences and desires. Considering these, along with more mundane matters like the hours they want to work and their journey to work, I build up a picture of the person and their capabilities. I make sure I stay focused on the positives and what they want and what they can do.”  

As we support people to find work, we are not just benefitting them as individuals, but also their wider network, and provide a successful example for any other person with a disability that, with the right support in place, they too can achieve their ambitions.  

“I strongly believe that promoting success stories is a tremendous way of highlighting what is possible. It should give others optimism and encouragement in their own job searches and prompt more employers to give people with disabilities a chance to show what they can do.” 

One of the keys to Tim’s successful volunteer experience is in his close collaboration and positive relationships with our team. In just a few months, Tim’s volunteer contribution to the Ready, Willing & Able programme was pivotal in supporting a number of people securing job opportunities.  

“Finding work is an important contributor to leading a more independent and fulfilling life. I am delighted to have given my contribution and I find it very rewarding playing even a small part in that process.“ 

“I would definitely recommend SeeAbility as an organisation to volunteer for. I think the team’s dedication to candidates throughout the process, and after finding employment, says it all about what can be achieved with the right support in place.” 

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