Testimonials
“I would just like to thank you for putting me in touch with Shaw Trust. I now have the help I so badly needed and have found a real gem with Shaman who joins me once a week for work experience. I really feel that by joining me in my bridal shop, I will be helping her to regain the confidence she needs to work full time again. She is friendly and helpful with a ready smile and eager to learn all aspects of retail. She has dispelled both prejudice and concern by proving to be an asset to my shop. I have no hesitation in recommending this route for finding staff, and hope that by offering this opportunity to someone with special needs, to enable them gain the experience they need, to secure future employment, other employers will consider this viable route also.
The Shaw Trust team have been very helpful and supportive, they kept in touch with me every step of the way and all of my initial concerns were understood and discussed easily. There is such fear that one could have a millstone to contend with, but I would happily recommend your service to all employers that think they can offer this opportunity to those less fortunate and help them get back into the diving seat of employment.
With recent Incapacity Benefit changes on the cards I think that there will be many clients what will need placements that will rebuild their skills. They need to work trail in order to enable assessment of their working capability. I want to encourage Employers to help these people get back on track, everyone deserves to enjoy life to the full and by feeling userfully employed and having the opportunity to grow. this is an ideal opportunity for employment skills gaps to be addressed, and that surely is the best way forward to improving economic climate.
I hope that by writing to you I will encourage other employers to give you the opportunity to help them fill the employment gaps.”
Vivien Mitchell
Founder
Ribbons and Pearls
“The Gateway School is a successful independent school for children. K. B. at Back2Base approached us to discuss the benefits of Supported Employment. We had a small post in mind, which would allow us to release a skilled member of staff from some of her less complex duties. From there, K.B. and W., a Back2Base service user, came in for a trial placement. Working together, we reviewed the progress and decided to offer W. a paid position. W. has become a valued member of our team and is well liked by the staff and children. Our experience continues to be a positive one and it is reassuring to know that Back2Base are on hand to help with any additional support, should the need arise.”
Glynis Gibbons
Bursar
The Gateway School
Great Missenden
“We have received a very professional and understanding service, focussed at finding the right balance to accommodate the needs of the individual and the needs of the business. Throughout any ups or downs we have always felt that support is only a phone call away and that by working together we achieve a solution that is right for everyone.”
Emma Haslam
Garden Centre Manager
Notcutts Garden Centres Limited
“Ivan started work in John Lewis’ Call Centre as a volunteer on a back to work scheme, working with the Community Head Injury Service. Ivan worked for me collecting products from the shop so that my team could call the customers back. Ivan did this for 6 months and by the end of the 6 months he was contacting customers himself. Because Ivan demonstrated that he was able and willing to progress, I felt that he should be offered a permanent position with a long term objective of being a call handler in John Lewis Call Centre. By the time Ivan left to go travelling, he’d achieved his goal and was logging onto the telephone system processing orders and sales.
Ivan did have a few challenges along the way, mainly with his own confidence in his ability and seeing how far he had actually come. Fatigue was a challenge, Ivan helped himself by communicating how he was feeling so that the team and I were able to support him through this.
I feel fortunate to work within an organization that is so diverse, offering equal opportunity for everyone.
Ivan was a well liked member of my team and we all wish him well in his new career path.
Good luck Ivan. Keep in touch.”
Debbie Pizzey
Call Centre Supervisor
The John Lewis Partnership
