Charley’s story

Hereford work outcomes student Charley has found her dream job as a housekeeper at a residential home for young adults with disabilities.

When she first joined the work based learning programme at National Star in Hereford she didn’t always ask for help and was uncertain where her future would take her.

Thanks to the support offered by Job Coach Michelle James, Charley worked on building her catering and housekeeping skills.

She has learnt about food safety and hygiene and can now follow unfamiliar recipes of savoury and sweet dishes. Charley has also got to grips with COSHH safety regulations when using potentially hazardous cleaning materials.

She undertook her work placement at 1, Ledbury Road, a small residential home for seven people with learning disabilities, cleaning rooms and communal areas as well as helping to prepare meals for the residents.

Dream job

‘I love this place, this is my dream job,’ said Charley, who has a hearing impairment. Charley has also developed a genuine rapport with the young residents, who smile and wave when she arrives on shift.

‘I really like that the residents are interested in learning British Sign Language when I communicate with them. I really feel like part of the team,’ said Charley.

Lead housekeeper Sammy Nye said: ‘Staff are always singing Charley’s praises, she has grown in confidence since she first joined us on work placement. She is keen to learn and is so thorough in everything that she does.’

Charley, who uses British Sign Language in connection with her hearing impairment, is also learning Makaton so that she can better communicate with residents.

‘This is my dream job. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my future. National Star helped me find my way,’ says Charley.

Charley has moved into her own place and her next goal is to learn to drive.