Agenda item

To receive a presentation from a Trustee of Mission EmployAble, a Chorleywood based charity focused on helping young adults with learning disabilities move into paid employment, and those who have experienced the programme.

Erica Bendall delivered a presentation highlighting the focus of helping young adults with learning disabilities gain paid employment through their supported internship programme. Which offers skills training and real workplace experience, leading to 90 percentage of their graduates gaining paid employment after 10 months of employability training.

Sean O’Connell shared his daughter, Esme’s, journey as a young woman diagnosed with epilepsy at a young age, which severely affected her childhood and learning abilities due to frequent seizures and neurological damage. Despite these challenges, Esme discovered her passion in cooking, sports, and her love of dogs. Encouraged by her family, she pursued athletics, even winning a gold medal representing Great Britain, which led to her receiving her pet dog. Her true passion remained cooking and baking, but Esme faced difficulties accessing appropriate training and employment opportunities due to fragmented and complex support systems for people with disabilities. Her family however, found hope and clear direction through Mission EmployAble. Esme gained valuable experience at the Café on the Common, Chorleywood, learning kitchen skills and customer interaction, which boosted her confidence. She now works as a Commis Chef trainee, at a 4 star hotel, with specialised support to accommodate her learning needs and help her manage a fast-paced kitchen environment. Mission EmployAble’s programme, understanding and adaptive approach have been crucial in enabling Esme to pursue her dream career, demonstrating the importance of targeted support and inclusive employment pathways for individuals with disabilities.

Mission EmployAble's programme collaborates with educational institutions like the Bucks College Group, and attend numerous schools and Post 16 transition, including College and their own Open Days to connect with parents and young people. It offers comprehensive employability training, English, math, and practical skills in various settings such as via their local training centre, Cafe on the Common, including box packing, horticultural, site maintenance, regenerative farming and hospitality with 3 local curriculum partners. The aim is to equip the interns with transferable skills and work experience to secure permanent paid employment.

Esme’s parents highlighted the past challenges of finding scattered and incomplete information across various sources. They emphasised the lack of coordinated guidance in mainstream education pathways, with no clear, staged instructions and support. There was also mention of financial barriers that may prevent institutions from fully supporting disabled young adults leaving parents to fight for resources and information. The conversation stressed the importance of making information more accessible and integrated, in a similar way to Mission EmployAble’s that offer joined-up support and community connections. The parent highlighted some gaps in accessible information regarding career guidance and post college support, which let to uncertainty about future options for their daughter. Being a resident in Three Rivers meant that having the new charity Mission EmployAble on their doorstep, which ensured the right choice for Esme. However, they recognised that the provision was not entirely lacking, but the range of available options felt relatively narrow. They also acknowledge the situation seems to have improved since Esme was exploring these pathways which had led to uncertainty about next steps.

Members inquired about the extent to which the charity is promoted and whether there is a direct connection or link to Mission EmployAble on the Council’s website. Officers committed to verifying the current status and ensuring the charity is featured, along with plans for broader communications.

Mission EmployAble’s representative also highlighted the exceptional work of Carly Knowler. She is the Supported Internship Project Officer for Herts CC through SyFP. Carly brings a wealth of knowledge about supported internships across the county and is a strong advocate for their effectiveness in supporting young people with learning disabilities into meaningful employment.