William, 24, works at the learning disability charity Mencap and has a learning disability. Last year, he completed a traineeship and apprenticeship as part of Mencap’s 3 Ships employment programmes, which comprise supported internships, traineeships and apprenticeships to support people with a learning disability to develop the skills and confidence needed to get a job. The programme helped William build his confidence and secure his first job.

William said: “I have a learning disability and I left school with the best GCSEs result that I could and felt proud of what I achieved. I passed my BTEC in Performing Arts by playing King Lear’s good daughter Cordelia and really enjoyed it. I went on to college where I studied level 2 media, level 2 travel/tourism and life skills. I went on to do a nine-month long internship at my local council.

But it was taking part in Mencap’s traineeship and then apprenticeship employment programmes which really turned my career around. It helped me learn how to write emails, develop my admin skills and improve my employability skills, like writing a CV and doing interviews, to get me ready for work.

Most importantly, the travel support helped me build up my confidence to travel independently, which means I can now get to work all by myself. After finishing the programme, I got my first job as Apprentice Office Assistant at Mencap. Now I know that it doesn’t matter what grades you get at school, with the right support and training opportunities, like Mencap’s 3 Ships programmes, people with a learning disability can get into work. I want the government to make training opportunities like apprenticeships more accessible for people, like me, who have a learning disability. People with a learning disability make great employees, we just need to make sure there is the support in place they need to get them into work.”

From my perspective, the Movement to Work programme suits candidates who, like me, are low on confidence and lack experience in an office-based environment.

After a rough few years, trying to get back into work was proving to be difficult and I felt caught in a vicious ‘no experience, no job’ cycle.  My motivation was low due to constant rejections and setbacks, and I even began doubting myself as a person, wondering whether I had the skills and mindset to ever work again.

Whilst browsing online, I discovered the Movement to Work programme. It was a two-week opportunity within the Office of the Chief Analyst (OCA) and the first placement in the Department of Health and Social Care.

Part of the Team

I arrived at the London DHSC building, full of butterflies as well as excitement. I met my participant manager and the rest of the OCA team and found everyone to be incredibly nice and helpful, which rapidly settled my day one nerves.

My participant manager spoke to me about the plan for the next two weeks, which included meeting a range of people from different professions, and a variety of projects such as writing a newsletter. Even at this early stage, my mood and optimism were higher than it had been for the previous year.

Over the two weeks I did a lot of admin-based tasks and completed three projects, one of which included reviewing and writing a report on the DHSC eXchange Analyst Hub. I was also able to implement the recommendations, updating the website to be more user-friendly. This developed my written communication and creativity skills, the latter of which I didn’t even know I had!

One of my key meetings was with Mathew Stubley, a former Movement to Work participant who now works as a Statistical Officer in DHSC. His main advice was talk to as many people as possible and not to be afraid to ask questions. This really helped me take a step-up during the second week and I found myself interacting with people even more than in the first week. 

My Next Steps

I’ve developed many new skills in such a short space of time at DHSC, such as prioritising tasks, organisation skills and strategic planning and I’ve learnt how to use platforms like Mailchimp.

Even though I was only here for two weeks, I have noticed a change in my mentality and would even go as far as saying it has changed my life, particularly when it comes to confidence and self-belief. I now believe that I am in a superb position to apply for roles in the Civil Service and will be doing so with no fear of regret.

From my perspective, the Movement to Work programme suits candidates who, like me, are low on confidence and lack experience in an office-based environment.

Want to be involved?

My participant manager, Katherine Ford, recommended Movement to Work as the most rewarding thing she’s been involved in since joining DHSC, as well as an invaluable line management experience.

Ryan, a Make Your Mark beneficiary, has become an inspirational male role model and mentor to young people in Northern Ireland. Recently Ryan won the NI Young Ambassador of the Year Award. He was also one of four UK Finalists in the inaugural Prince’s Trust Mentor of the Year with campaign videos aired on Good Morning Britain’s Campaign.

Ryan has used his inspirational story of how he defied the odds after losing his father aged 14, suffered from depression, contemplating suicide. He left formal education aged 17 to run his family’s business which was forced to close and then set up his own business but was unsuccessful for various reasons. He became unemployed and gained a place on the Make Your Mark Programme after connecting with The Prince’s Trust.

Ryan completed the 4 week programme successfully, gaining employment with M&S and has now progressed to become a section manager.

As a Young Ambassador, Ryan has shared his story across social media, local papers and national papers such as the Belfast Telegraph & Huffington Post. He has also appeared on BBC Radio Foyle talking about his battle with depression. Ryan is also a public speaker for the Trust sharing his story to audiences of 500+ people for companies like Accenture in London and Club 41’s National AGM securing vital funds and exposure for the charity.

As a mentor Ryan helps young people develop confidence and employability skills helping them find secure employment and ultimately get their life back. Now a permanent section manager, Ryan also takes a keen interest in supporting the young people through Make Your Mark in his store, sharing his story and helping them on a day to day basis.