EQUAL PEOPLE

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The stories in this book were complied by

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We are proud of being equal citizens.

We are proud of leading independent

lives.

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SCOTT WATKIN

Co-National Director for

Learning Disabilities

All people with learning disabilities should have the same rights and equal opportunities as everybody else. We should be equal citizens in our communities and personalisation plays a key role in this. Individual budgets enable people with learning disabilities to have more choice and control in their lives and be part of what is happening locally. On a personal level, I have come a long way in the last few years. I was very well known in my local area but I had never done any national work before I got my role as Co-National Director for Learning Disabilities. My job is a big personal achievement but comes with lots of responsibilities. This includes reporting to Ministers and

speaking up for people with learning disabilities to make change happen.

I hope you enjoy reading the inspirational stories in this book.

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Catherine Carrington30-32

Robert Whale33-35

Kamaldeep Shemar36-38

Gemma Caffrey 16-18

Richard Danielle Johnson Spence 19-21 24-26

Lee Brown 27-29

Nigel Smith 7-9

Sonja West 10-12

Ron Taylor13-15

EQUAL PEOPLE CONTENTS

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INTRODUCTION

In this book you will

find 10 stories that

reflect what people with

learning disabilities can

achieve today if they

have the right support.

Throughout the book

you’ll read the word

“inspirational” many

times. This is a word

that’s been used over

and over again to

describe the lives of

some very remarkable

people.

The stories tell of how Sandwell residents with learning disabilities, young

and old, have achieved equal citizenship, paid employment, a home of their

own and a life!!!

A short film accompanies each story. In each film you will get a glimpse into

the life of the person and their achievements.

We hope this book inspires you to imagine what is possible for people with

learning disabilities when they have the right support which values them as

people first.

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Nigel Smith

My name is Nigel Smith. I am 41. I want to tell you about my life as a self-advocate.

Being a self-advocate means you stand up for not only your own rights, but also the rights of other people with learning disabilities and make sure they have a good quality of life.

“Over the years Iʼve seen Nigel grow in confidence and develop great skills in presenting information and engaging with people from different agencies and different backgrounds. In 2008 he gave a presentation on the work of Changing Our Lives to the Board of Sandwell Partnership. His style impressed Board Members so much he was invited by the Government Office for the West Midlands to talk to their staff. Heʼs a fabulous role model.”

Liz Mabely, CBE, Trustee of Changing Our Lives.

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STANDING UP FOR MY RIGHTS

I’ve always stood up for my rights throughout my whole life, but when I started working with Changing Our Lives in 2004 I met other self-advocates and I learnt that by working together we can make a real difference. Self-advocacy is important to me because people with learning disabilities are equal citizens. Years ago people with learning disabilities were not part of the community; people were kept away from the community in hospitals and day centres. This was wrong. People with learning disabilities have the same rights as anyone else; we are not second class citizens.

DEVELOPING QUALITY OF LIFE AUDITS WITH THE TEAM AT CHANGING OUR LIVES

Over the years I have worked with a team of self-advocates to develop lots of work. In summer 2004 I started to work with the Commission for Social Care Inspection. I became an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is someone who has experience of using services and who wants to make people’s lives better. I worked with the Commission to develop a new way of inspecting services, where Experts work jointly with inspectors to check the quality of services.

At the same time I was working with a team of self-advocates to develop a way we could audit local services. I helped to write a set of Quality of Life standards and develop local audits. Being part of this team makes a real difference to people’s lives. Sometimes when services are bad people change where they live or change the support they get; some services have closed and sometimes staff have been suspended. We now carry out around 80 audits each year including audits of residential homes, supported living, mental health services, short breaks and the mainstream hospital.

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Training

I am also an experienced trainer. For me it is great that we check people’s quality of life but often staff need training so they know how to respect us as equals. I’ve trained council and private provider staff but the best for me was training Sandwell Police. When I lead the audits I am a bit of a Columbo, finding evidence to make people’s lives better. that’s why working with the police appeals to me.

ACTION NOT TALKING

I also chair lots of meetings. I am Speaker in the People’s Parliament and chair person of the local advocacy network, Speak Out in Sandwell. I like

action, not just talking so meetings I chair are never talking shops. I also love

chairing a meeting because I like controlling it and making sure people do

positive things for the lives of people with learning disabilities.

I see myself as a role model. Everyone with a learning disability needs to self-

advocate.

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SONJA WEST

M y n a m e i s Sonja. I am 29 years old. When I left school I went to Dudley College and go t some qualifications. I always wanted to work in admin but found it difficult to get a job. I had a voluntary job for 3 years but what I wanted was to get paid.

“Sonja has not only developed more administrative skills but she has become a real asset to the team. Sonja is really helpful, always willing to help when asked to do a task and is flexible! This was one of the many reasons that we, as her team nominated Sonja for a Shining Star award in which she was awarded a highly commended certificate. This reflects both what Sonja has achieved and her ambition to be recognised in her own right as a young working woman. She is an inspiration!”

Natalie Whitmore, Business Support Team Leader and Sonja’s manager.

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MY JOB IN BUSINESS SUPPORT, ADULT SERVICES

I am happy because I now work in the Business Support Team in Adult

Services (Learning Disabilities) in Kingston House in West Bromwich.I do

filing, make appointments in the manager’s diaries, do the shredding and

laminating, sort the post, make sure the drinks machine is topped up,

answer the phone, photocopy, organize stationary, send emails and type up

notes and minutes. I am confident using Word and Excel. I am very busy;

I have a timetable for my day and this helps me. I sign in when I first get into

work. I fetch the post for the whole floor and sort it and stamp it. This can be

a big job because it can include post for the Council House and other

places. I deliver the post. Then I do the next job. I like the routine.

SUPPORT TO GET MY JOB

I got my job through Workstep. I started off on a 12 month contract. I had a

working interview, where I sat with one of the business support staff and

answered the phone, sent an email and did some typing. This was a good

interview because it was easy to understand.

After 12 months I had to apply for the job again. I had to fill in a difficult

application form and go to an interview where people asked me questions. I

had support to do this but it was difficult. I got the job, which is great. It’s a

permanent job. It would have been better to have a working interview the

second time I was interviewed.

GETTING PAID

I love my job. I get paid and like spending my money on clothes, DVDs and CDs. I am also organizing my 30th birthday party which will be based on the theme of the red carpet and the Oscars. I am also putting some money away to go on holiday.

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I have plenty of confidence at work. I love working with all of the managers and the

Director of Adult Services. They are brilliant. They treat me exactly the same as they

treat other people. They don’t treat me any different. The whole team of Business

Support staff is very supportive and friendly. I love working with this team.

“Sonja is the life and soul of the party. She’s happy to do anything you ask her to do. She’s always on time. She’s has very little time off sick, and then we have to get her to go home. She’s taught us a lot as a team. We’ve become more aware of what it means to have a learning disability. We could not imagine being without her. ”

Sheila Lloyd, Senior Business Support

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RON TAYLOR

My name is Ron Taylor. I am 74 years old and I’ve lived in lots of hospitals. I live now live independently. This is my story.

"Ron's ambition was to have his section lifted and and live in the community. He achieved this and I am positive he will maintain his progress in the community."

Gary Sawuck, Manager of Newton House Step Down, Sandwell Mental Health Foundation Trust

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LIVING IN HOSPITAL

I have lived in hospital settings all of my life. I lived in Monyhull and later St Margaret’s. These places were both big hospitals that had lots of people living in them. I did not have a room of my own. I could not make choices about my life such as what I had to eat and what time I went to bed. The only friends I had were the people who lived in the hospital. I carried out some work for the staff washing cars and going to the shop to fetch things, but other than this I didn’t have any independence. From St Margaret’s I went to a forensic hospital in Liverpool and later came to live in a home in Halesowen. This house was a hospital in the community known as an NHS Campus. It was a lot smaller than the hospitals I had lived in but it still wasn’t a proper home. I lived in Halesowen for quite a while but things started to go wrong and after an incident with someone I lived with I moved to another hospital. I had my own bedroom in this hospital. I had to use a key card to get into my bedroom. Again, I had to live with lots of other people and the furthest I went was to the local shop.

LIVING IN GERRY SIMON CLINIC

Later I was admitted to the Gerry Simon low secure forensic clinic in Sandwell. I stayed at the Clinic for four years. Here I lived with fourteen other men. I was receiving treatment so I had to follow a programme of activities. This meant I had little choice about how I spent my time. I sometimes had to share my living space with people I did not get on with and I was one of the oldest people.

MOVING TO NEWTON HOUSE STEP DOWN UNIT

In 2008 I was one of the first people to move to a new step down unit in Sandwell called Newton House. For the first time I was living with only one other person. The first thing I noticed was how quiet the house was. I could make myself a drink when I wanted one and was supported to cook my own meals.

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During the time I stayed at Newton House other people moved in but there was never any more than three of us. I worked on a person centred plan and looked at the things I wanted to achieve in the future; I was sure about one thing I didn’t want to live in a hospital again. My confidence grew whilst I was in Newton House. I started to dress smartly for my review meetings and prepared questions to ask the doctors about my treatment and when I was going to move.

I learned some new skills like cooking and managing money and learned how to be more independent. I really enjoyed living at Newton House but it was still on a hospital site and I was still living with people I had lived with at the Gerry Simon Clinic. One of the things that was very important to me was to have my own bank account. I have never had a bank account and have never been able to manage my own money. I also wanted to go on holiday as I hadn’t been on holiday since I lived in St Margaret’s.

MY NEW HOME

Earlier this year I moved into a small home in Birmingham. I now live with three other men who are around the same age as me. We all get on with each other and go out together regularly for meals. I have my own bedroom, which I have been able to decorate in Wolverhampton Wanderers colours. I am able to make my own drinks and I am learning to cook for myself. I decide what I do every day and I can take my time getting up and getting myself ready. I don’t have to be supervised when I go out anymore, but I choose for a support worker to accompany me as I have some mobility issues. I shop for my own clothes, my own food and I am supported to go to the bookies and put money on the horses, which I really enjoy! I have my own bank account now and my staff support me to go to the bank and manage my own money. I recently went to Weston for a day trip and I am going to Rhyll in a few weeks. My life’s great now. I live it!!

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GEMMA CAFFREY

My name is Gemma Caffrey and I am 16 years old. My story shows what young people with learning disabilities can achieve today.

“What strikes me most about Gemma is she believes in herself, knows what she wants to do and does it! She has a terrific warmth and great enthusiasm and enjoyment of life, which is infectious. Gemma really is an inspiration to other people. She is a great performer; personally I think she is more than just a singer. She has the power within her to achieve great things. Whatever she decides to do, she will succeed at it!?”

Gary Bowman, Director of Sandwell Partnership

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SINGING IS MY PASSION

I have one main passion in life, and that is singing. Since I was very little I have loved to sing on the Karaoke, with friends, in front of the mirror and even in the shower! I entered Sandwell’s Got Talent competition, singing Heroes. I came second in the competition with only one point between first and second place. I was asked to sing at the Learning Disability Partnership Board AGM.I feel really confident when I am singing. There is never a dry eye in the house when I have finished, especially from my mum!!.

MY EXAMS AND MY FUTURE

I am just about to sit my last exam, which is Science. I am quite nervous, but I think I will do ok. I attend St Michael’s school and have always gone to a mainstream school. I have some support in lessons, such as dance and English. During my exams I have someone who transcribes for me, which means I give them the answer and they write it down for me. I feel really proud that I am doing my GCSEs and have lots of the plans for the future.

In September I am going to Sandwell College to study Childcare. I am really excited about this. I did my work placement at a nursery and loved every minute of it, helping the young children read, play, run around and give them a cuddle when they needed it. I know that this is what I want to do for paid work. In the future my dream is to own my own nursery called “Little Gems”. I also want to learn sign language to help small children who are deaf. I have already learnt some sign language at Banardos.

SUPPORT FROM MOM AND DAD

I can achieve anything I want to with the right support. I am lucky to have such a supportive family and my dad is always encouraging me to do lots of new things.

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“Whoever you speak to, everyone always says she is the most pleasant, helpful, nice person you ever wish to meet. Selfless…she is just Gemma. We are really proud of her and all her achievements. Good support has been key to Gemma success.”

Alan Caffrey, Gemma’s dad.

“She struggled a lot, especially in mainstream school. She did experience some bullying because of her learning disability, but has become more confident… she is brilliant now. We are really proud of her.”

Sharon Caffrey, Gemma’s mom.

I have paid work with Changing Our Lives working on a project called Me 2, which is where young people audit services and decide whether or not the provider meets the standards to receive the Me 2 Award. I am really excited about being paid. I have just opened my own bank account on line so I can pay my first wage into it! I am looking forward to treating myself. It’s great to earn my own money.

I am also learning to travel on the bus. I am confident I can do anything I want to if i put my mind to it.

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“Richard is an very talented young man. When he first came to work for us he used to keep his hat pulled down low on his head and he didn’t like to sit in groups. Two years later he’s spoken in Parliament in Westminster, worked as an Expert by Experience inspecting services with CQC across the West Midlands and won a seat on the National Forum of People with learning difficulties. He refuses to see his autism as a barrier and is determined to succeed.”

Jayne Leeson, Chief Executive, Changing Our Lives.

RICHARD JOHNSON

My name is Richard. I am 22. I work for a charity called Changing Our Lives. I am a Self-Advocacy Officer.I work 21 hours a week.

I am confident now in my job and in my life but when I was younger I was shy and withdrawn. This is my story.

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LIFE IN SCHOOL

In my last year of school I was bullied a lot because I was different. I started to not go to school. I got very depressed. I always knew that something made me different, although I wasn’t sure what. My parents were worried sick about me as I hardly went out of the house and my social skills were so poor that I would panic about meeting people. They decided to get in touch with the

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. After a year working with this

service I was diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Following my diagnosis with Autism I continued to suffer with depression for

a few years and I was on and off medication. I felt so bad that I wouldn’t get

out of bed until late in the morning and I would stay in my pyjamas all day.

This was really upsetting for my mom, who would leave me at home while

she went to work only to come home and find me still in my pyjamas. I was

always in the house and I had no contact with the outside world.

BECOMING MORE INDEPENDENT

I was eventually put in touch with an employment advisor from Black

Country Connexions. She told me about a voluntary organisation called

Krunch that supports young people to discover who they are with the

support of a personal mentor. I agreed to go to Krunch. I got on with my

mentor really well and I worked with her for a few hours each week. I found

that I could talk to her about anything. I had to catch 2 buses to get to

Krunch. This made me more confident with public transport. I attended

Krunch for over 12 months then I decided that my mentor had helped me as

much as she could and it was time to move on.I enrolled on a course called

“Skills for Working Life” at Dudley College. The course included Literacy,

Numeracy, Business Administration, Business Retail, Health and Safety and computer CLAIT. I passed and got my certificates at the end of the year.

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My personal tutor put me in touch with Changing our Lives. I started to volunteer for Changing our Lives and then I was asked if I wanted to apply for a paid job. It was an offer that I couldn’t refuse and I haven’t looked back since.

I have been a paid worker with the organisation since 2008 and my job title is a Self Advocacy Officer.

My job includes many roles. I audit services, co-chair the Learning Disability Partnership Board, sit on the National Forum of People with Learning Difficulties and I support the People’s Parliament.

I’ve gained lots of confidence and now I welcome new challenges.

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We couldn t̓ include everyone in this

book. Here are some more stars who are

keen to tell their story next time!!!

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We couldn t̓ include everyone in this

book . Here are some more stars who are

keen to tell their story next time!!!

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DANIEL SPENCE

My name is Danielle. I am 22 years old. I live in Smethwick. When I was younger I wasn’t confident. I used to stay at home and help around the house. That changed in November 2007 when I joined Funerama, a youth club for children and young people who have a disability.

“Danielle has changed so much compared with the shy person who used to sit on her own looking at magazines. Now she is chatty, laughing, keen and enthusiastic and it is lovely to see.”

Lynn Penicot, Danielle’s team leader, Funerama.

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FUNERAMA YOUTH GROUP

I went to Funerama because I wanted to make friends. At first I was really shy and nervous, I wouldn’t talk to anyone or play any games, I used to sit in the corner on my own and read Albion football programmes. I used to watch what was going on though. People were friendly and after about six months I started to play games and join in with the art activities. Two years later a new Tuesday group opened and I offered to help out. I was asked to do things like setting up the activities and helping to run the tuckshop. I remembered how it felt to be new and not know anyone so I made sure I talked to the young people who came. I talked to them about football and I found it easy to do.

GETTING PAID WORK

When a Saturday group started I was asked to help out there too. Lynn, the group leader, suggested that I should apply for a paid job and I was really happy, nervous and excited all at the same time! An Employment Agency called Templink helped me to fill in the application form. It took ages for the CRB check to come through and I had to keep waiting to find out if I’d got it. When I heard I’d got the job I was really happy and my Mum was really happy too. I work for 5 and a half hours a week and extra hours in school holidays. When I got my first pay cheque I waved it around and showed it my Mum.

Once I had a paid job I started to do more things like supporting the children at lunchtime with feeding and making sure they went home safely with their family at the end. I enjoy playing on the Wii with the children, my favourite game is bowling. I really enjoy the job and it makes me feel proud that I have got it. I look forward to getting paid every Friday and I like to buy trainers and clothes.

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“Danielle offers lots of support to the children and young people in wheelchairs. She shows empathy and helps all of the children to overcome obstacles, like suggesting different ways of doing things.

Danielle does the same work as all the other members of staff and she is not treated any differently. If she has any worries or concerns Danielle has her mentor Sarah that she can go to.”

Lynn Penicot, Danielle’s team leader, Funerama.

Working at Funerama helped me to decide that I want to get a full-time job working with children. So three days a week I am doing an NVQ level 2 in Childcare at Sandwell College. I do it as a work placement in the Nursery at the Training Training and Development Centre in Pope’s Lane. When I finish the course I want to work with children who have a disability.

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LEE BROWN

My name is Lee. I am 37 years old and I have worked at KTC Edibles for the last eight and a half years in Wednesbury. This is my story about my life in employment.

“Lee comes to work on time and does a proper day’s work. He’s part of the community at work; he gets on great with his work colleagues. There are lots of people at KTC who have a natural affinity with Lee because he’s a really great guy and people want to share his life. Lee pays attention to detail in all of this work. If I could have 10-20 more Lees I would. He’s been exemplary. We’ve never had any problems with his work.”

Graham Booth, Technical Director KTC

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WORKING FOR KTC

KTC Edibles is the UK’s largest independent manufacturer and distributor of edible oils and fats. In 1989 I was on a Youth Opportunity Scheme and this led to me working for an engineering company. But after a while I was made redundant. I always wanted to work and in 2002 I started work at KTC. When I started with KTC, I worked for the sister company that makes metal drums. I used to stack empty drums on pallets. I made sure each pallet had the right number of drums. I also put the tops on the drums and passed them on to the machine operator who sealed the drum.

Over the years I’ve worked in different parts of the factory. Now I work with blocks of palm oil stacking these onto pallets. I also work with liquid oil machines putting the oil into different containers.

NVQ IN FOOD MANUFACTURE

I have passed my NVQ in Food Manufacture and gained a level 2 qualification. It took me 6 months to complete my portfolio. I completed it all myself. I am very proud of this. I was assessed in the factory along with the other workers. Graham Booth, the Technical Director says “Lee’s portfolio is immaculate. We chose Lee to be in the first group of staff for the NVQ because to us he’s an equal member of the workforce.”

WORKING AS A TEAM

I get on with my work colleagues at KTC. When there is a special occasion we will sometimes have a party in the canteen. I am part of these special celebrations. Graham says “Lee gets on well with all of the workforce. Our workforce here is very diverse and many people speak limited English. Lee mixes well and gets on with them all.”

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WORKING AS A TEAM

My family thinks it’s great that I’ve been in work for all this time. My mom and all of my aunts and uncles are proud of me working. They’re not just proud of me coming to work; they’re proud because I get up every morning and I’m never late. I get one bus and the Metro to work which takes an hour.

I love where I work. I get very emotional because the people are so nice to me and everyone’s friendly. I am in control of my own life.

Having a job I go to every day helps me manage my own life. I have my own money and my own bank account. I also have a very active life with friends outside of work. I love Elvis so I go to the Elvis fan club every month. I am also part of the Elvis society and go to Elvis conventions.

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CATHERINE CARRINGTON

Hi my name is Catherine Carrington. I am 38 years old and I live in Supported Living with my partner. My story is about how important it is for people with learning disabilities to live independently in their own homes.

"Catherine has really grown into a confident woman. She should be really proud of herself; she has blossomed into a role model for other women with learning disabilities."

Joanna Roberts, Support Worker Options for Life.

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LIVING WITH MY FAMILY

Up until 2002 I had lived with my family. When living with my family I didn’t go out very much unless it was with them, I didn’t do my own shopping, pay my own bills or manage my own money. I didn’t really have any choice or control over my own life. In 2002 I began living with my partner and we had a baby. My daughter was taken away to live with members of family when she was born. My partner decided he didn’t want to be with me anymore and asked me to leave our house, I ended up in a women’s refuge. I didn’t like living at the women’s refuge. There were ants in my bedroom and I had to keep all of my clothes packed in suitcases. I had to clean the house on a daily basis and once got told off for being home late. While I was living in the refuge I met my current partner. One of my friends introduced us and he took me to the cinema for our first date.

FINDING MY OWN PLACE

I soon moved out of the women’s refuge and into a flat on my own in West Bromwich. The area wasn’t very nice and I didn’t feel safe. I had a Tenancy Support Worker but they did not give me much support. There were a lot of problems with the flat but the maintenance person never came to fix anything. I was still seeing my partner but I used to get really upset when he had to go home. I became quite withdrawn and depressed. I put my name on the waiting list for a property with Options for Life and a Support Worker from there called Jo started coming to see me. Jo took me to see a house on Oak Green Way in Langley, I loved it and moved there in 2008.

LEARNING NEW THINGS

I have completed confidence building and anxiety management courses. This has helped me gain more confidence to try new things. I have also completed courses in maths and basic IT skills. At the moment I am doing an office skills course and a catering work placement and food safety course.

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I do paid work with Changing our Lives as an Expert by Experience and a Quality Auditor, inspecting services and residential homes. I have become a Peer Reviewer with the Royal College of Psychiatry and will be reviewing mental health services for people with learning disability around the country. I am a member of the People’s Parliament and I am currently campaigning for real paid jobs for people with learning disabilities. I was awarded the Frances Painter Award in 2009 for being a positive role model to women with learning disabilities.

In 2009 my partner moved in with me. My best friend comes to stay with us quite often and I meet up with two of my other friends in Birmingham on a Saturday. I see my Daughter every two weeks. I now manage my own money with my own bank account, pay my own bills and cook my own meals. I use public transport and travel independently with confidence. I recently went to London for the first time and went on the London Underground; this is something I would love to do again! I manage my own diary, which is very busy, making sure I have enough time for my job, my partner, friends and my daughter. I have a better quality of life than I had before. I am more confident and more able to do what I want. Nobody tells me what to do anymore!

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ROBERT WHALE

My name is Robert Whale. I am buying my own flat in West Bromwich. I have lived here since December 2009.

“Robert is a person with a learning disability who has experienced ordinary things in life such as leaving his wife and buying his own home. He is an inspiration to others, encouraging others to embrace opportunities.”

Marie Campbell, Community Nurse

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FINDING MY OWN PLACE

I was married for 18 years, and found my marriage to be quite difficult. I made the decision to leave. I moved into rented accommodation in West Bromwich, which was not ideal for me. The house was too big, had stairs that I found difficult to climb, and the landlord wanted to move in other people to share with me. I did not want to share with anyone, I wanted to live alone and be independent.

HAVING A MORTGAGE AND BUYING MY OWN HOME

I was told about shared ownership and I liked the sound of that. They explained that I would have an interest only mortgage, and that part of the mortgage would be paid with my housing benefits and the other by Bromford Housing. I had to speak with a financial advisor to help me understand what a mortgage was and how it would be paid. I made a will as well as I was going to be a home owner. I never thought I would ever be able to own my own home.

I went to a new development site in West Bromwich where new flats were being built. I wanted to stay in West Bromwich as I have always lived there and know the local area well. I looked at a show flat, which I really liked, and thought that this was great for me. I wanted a flat that was on the ground floor. I did not want a bath but a shower, and wanted to choose my own carpets, and furnishing in my own home.

SUPPORT TO BE INDEPENDENT

I had lots of support from my community nurse. I also have support from my staff to make it easier to live in my own home. They support me every day with cooking, cleaning, paying my bills, and writing cheques. I have done my own decorating, put up my own curtain rails, re wired plugs, and now it feels like home, my home.

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I have 2 budgies which I love and enjoy taking care of. I am lucky to have good neighbours and feel safe in my community.

I have my own computer now and I am just beginning to use the internet. I am doing some volunteer gardening work, as this is one of my favourite hobbies.

I feel very independent, and that I have lots of choices. My life is a bit lonely at times as it is a big change to live on my own after 18 years.

I feel proud of my achievements and hope that other people will be able to own their own home and feel happy. I feel very independent and I am pleased I have lots of choices.

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KAMALDEEP SHEMAR

My name is Kamaldeep. For the past 2 years I have worked for ETMA Engineering in Blackheath. This story tells you how I got my job and what it means to me.

“The workforce at ETMA Engineering is supportive of Kamaldeep. We have all benefited as a workforce and become more aware of the needs of people with learning disabilities.

Kamaldeep works really hard and is always at work on time. Kamaldeep might need things explaining in more detail but we are happy to do this. Kamaldeep as an equal member of the team.”

Paul Coley, Manager, ETMA Engineering

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WORKING AT ETMA

ETMA Engineering makes die castings for the motor industry. I started working for ETMA as a general labourer and then I was promoted to General Machine Operator. I work full time and earn a proper wage. I work on lots of machines and understand all the machine settings.

In December 2007 I was finding it really difficult to get paid work. I was depressed. I even stopped signing on for a while because I felt I was going nowhere. All I thought was I need a job. My family wanted me to get paid work. It was difficult for us all.

SUPPORT FROM WORKING LINK, ADULT SERVICES

I then got support from Working Link at Beeches Road Resource Centre. They supported me to sign on again. They found me this job. It was advertised in the job centre so I did really well to get it. I had support from Working Link when I started work. They met me every 2 weeks to make sure everything was going ok. They also supported me with travel training. After 2 years, they don’t need to support me any more

HOW HAVING A JOB MAKES ME FEEL

I feel better now I have a paid job. I feel respected. I get along with all the people I work with. I talk to them and have a laugh with them. I am a hard worker. I am learning to drive. My boss has said that if I pass my test I can try the forklift truck. I’d love to do this. Look at me now. I have a job. My family is really happy I have a paid job. They are proud of me.

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“It’s really important to give people with learning disabilities a chance at paid employment. For me employing someone with a learning disability has nothing to do with the funding you might get. I have a son with a learning disability and if I don’t give people a chance, how can I expect people to give my son a chance.”

Paul Coley, Manager, ETMA Engineering

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We are proud of having jobs.

We are proud of being determined

and never giving up.

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Changing Our Lives Office 14 Brook House Brook Street Tipton West Midlands DY4 9DD

Tel: 0121 520 0813 www.changingourlives.org

ask@changingourlives.org