Opening doors to work - three years of partnership with Lush
For the past three years, Ready Willing and Able has been working in partnership with high street cosmetics retailer Lush to create real opportunities for people with learning disabilities and autism to move into work.
Together, they have supported six people into paid internships across Lush stores. These three-month roles give people the chance to build skills, grow in confidence, and take their first steps into employment in a supportive environment.
This partnership is built on a shared belief that people should have the chance to show what they can do.
Building confidence through real experience
Jake is autistic and had been looking for work for a long time. Like many people, he found that formal interviews did not reflect his strengths.
Through Ready Willing and Able, Jake took part in a work trial at Lush. Instead of a traditional interview, he was able to show his skills in a real working environment.
From his first day, Jake showed focus, reliability and a willingness to learn. He developed a routine that worked for him and took pride in keeping the stockroom organised.
Over time, his confidence grew and he became a valued part of the team.
Taking steps forward
Garry is also part of the Ready Willing and Able programme and has been building his confidence through work.
When Garry first came to SeeAbility, he felt unsure about what he wanted to do. With support from his employment coach Harley, he started to take small steps forward.
Together, they worked on things like his CV and applying for jobs. Over time, Garry began to feel more confident in his skills.
One of those opportunities was a temporary role at Lush.
At Lush, Garry became part of the team during a busy period. He built new skills, made friends and showed he could manage a fast-paced role.
“I was nervous at first, but I really enjoyed it. I made friends and proved to myself that I can do the job.”
This experience supported Garry to take his next step. He has now been offered a role with SeeAbility as an autism co-trainer, where he supports colleagues to learn more about autism.
Garry’s journey shows how the right support and real work experience can help people grow in confidence and move forward.
Working together
By working together, Ready Willing and Able and Lush have created a simple and effective way for people to access work. Employment coaches support both the person and the employer - helping to shape roles, offer guidance, and build confidence at every stage.
“Besco was so encouraging, she immediately wanted to work with us - it was so encouraging” says Rhian Airey, our Senior Employment Coach
“When I learned what SeeAbility do, it became really clear to me it was a beautiful way of supporting LUSH’s belief that all are welcome always”
– Besco, Manager at LUSH Bristol
Working together like this has created real opportunities for people to step into work.
The right support, and an open-minded employer can make all the difference. People can build confidence, develop their skills, and become valued members of the team
For other employers, the message is clear - small changes can open the door to talented people who are ready to work and contribute.
