Joseph’s future looks bright after Empower Works support
24-year-old Joseph Davison is thriving in his new job after a successful work trial in a state-of-the-art factory.
ProgressNE
Josh makes huge progress in job search
For a year, we’ve been tracking the progress of Josh Priest, who enrolled on our ProgressNE employability programme at the age of 20.
And we’re delighted to report that he has come through his first paid placement with flying colours at the Newbiggin Learning Café in Northumberland.
Josh, who is autistic and has ADHD, said: “It has already boosted my confidence, I love being busy, and the routine is really good for my mental health.”
Josh joined ProgressNE because didn’t have a job after finishing two years at college and a year’s supported internship in a garden centre. “I didn’t know what I was going to do, and I was struggling and anxious,” he said.
But he has turned that around with the support of his advisor Alex Hall, who did travel training with him and introduced him to a boxing gym in Blyth.
Now Josh can travel on buses on his own around the North East and is boxing three times a week in Cramlington and Blyth. “It has given me independence and opened up so many doors for me,” he said.
With Alex’s support, he has been looking for jobs in retail and in stockrooms, but he hadn’t considered working in a café because he was worried about operating a till.
But when a supported placement came up at the Learning Café in Newbiggin’s community hub, Josh jumped at the chance.
He has been trained to make up orders, use the till, manage stock, clean, and do opening and closing checks, and the café’s manager Deb Robertson said he has taken it all in his stride.
Deb said: “Josh has taken the initiative on things even my regular volunteers don’t do, and is the first learner that has taken responsibility for checking opening temperatures on his own.
"Josh has done really well. He’s friendly and good with the customers."
Josh said he thrives in the busy atmosphere of the café and has surprised himself on the till. “When there’s a lot of things happening, that’s when I get really focused and can work quickly,” he said.
“The till was the thing I thought I’d never be able to do properly – maths has always been an issue – but I’ve learned how to do it and it’s not daunting any more. I’m now looking at cafés as part of my job search.”
Josh has also enjoyed earning money for the first time, and is hoping to buy boxing boots and gloves. “I love the boxing – it builds your personality and resilience, and I have got friends there as well,” he said.
ProgressNE was delivered by the North East Autism Society in partnership with Azure Charitable Enterprises before it ended last month. It provided personalised support with travel training, social engagement and mental and physical wellbeing, as well as employment.
Alex Hall, Josh’s advisor on the scheme, said he saw a huge change over the course of the year. “I am amazed at Josh’s progress,” he said.
“He didn’t have a lot of self-belief when he joined the programme, and being out of work and education had taken a toll on his mental and social health.
“Watching his confidence and independence grow has been inspiring. I can’t wait to see where he ends up.”
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