After applying for over 100 jobs and attending 10 interviews, Natasha’s hard work and determination finally paid off when she secured a job at well-known high street food chain Pret A Manger. 

Natasha, who has a learning disability and speech impediment, had previous experience in retail and hospitality, but despite her efforts, she was struggling to find an employer who would give her a chance. 

At interviews Natasha often found it difficult to express her skills and experiences. The formal interview process was challenging for her, and many employers didn’t seem to understand her potential. 

Natasha had lost her job during the pandemic, and for two years, she struggled to get back into work. Each rejection affected her confidence, and it started to impact her mental health. But Natasha wasn’t ready to give up. She kept looking for opportunities and continued visiting local businesses to ask for employment. She was determined to get back into work.  

Rhian, one of our supported employment coaches, worked closely with Natasha to find the right job for her. Together, they identified Pret A Manger as a potential employer that shared SeeAbility's values of inclusion and support for people to find meaningful work. Rhian reached out to Pret A Manger and built a partnership to offer Natasha the opportunity to do a work trial. 

A work trial is a practical opportunity for people to demonstrate their skills and potential in a real work environment, helping both the employee and employer determine if it’s a good fit. For Natasha, this was her moment to shine - and she did. Pret A Manger recognised her talent and offered her a role. Tarik, her new manager, shared his thoughts:  

“Natasha is doing really well, especially considering it’s only her first week. She’s settling in quickly and doing an amazing job. I’m excited to see her grow within the Pret family.”

When employers are open to offering opportunities, people with learning disabilities, autism, and sight loss can find long-term, sustainable employment. It’s about matching the right person with the right job and being willing to make reasonable adjustments to support that person in the workplace. 

SeeAbility’s Ready, Willing and Able Supported Employment Programme works to build these connections and provide the support that people need to succeed. We help employers understand how to make their workplaces more inclusive and ensure that recruitment processes are accessible to everyone. Work trials, like the one Natasha took part in, are a great example of how employers can give people the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities in a real work environment. 

If you are an employer and would like to learn more about offering job opportunities through SeeAbility’s Ready, Willing and Able Supported Employment Programme, or if you want advice on reasonable adjustments or alternative recruitment methods, please get in touch with our support team at rwa@seeability.org. We’d love to hear from you and explore how we can work together to create more inclusive workplaces.