One of the reasons Share exists is to support more people with learning disabilities and autism enter the workforce. We want our students to experience the benefits of employment, including greater independence, wellbeing, and confidence. Fatima, a catering student at Share, has been working with Terry, our Employment Specialist, to secure an apprenticeship with Unity Works, an organisation supporting disabled people to get jobs.

Fatima gained CIEH (Chartered Institute of Environmental Health) Food Safety Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications whilst at Share. She starts her new role in October, working in the Greenwood Centre, from Monday to Friday, six hours a day. She’ll also benefit from a work experience placement, and employment support at the end of her apprenticeship to help her find a longer-term job.

Fatima took part in a virtual information day alongside a group of job-ready candidates, before moving on to a practical assessment. She successfully completed front-of-house tasks like clearing tables and dealing with customer payments, before working in the kitchen to demonstrate her food-safety knowledge, and prepare and plate up paninis for lunch.

Fatima was then shortlisted for interview and was one of six successful candidates out of 71 selected for the apprenticeship. She impressed the Operations Manager of the café with her skills, positive attitude, and determination to succeed in catering.

Fatima credited her family for motivating and supporting her, saying, ‘I feel very proud of myself, my family is very proud of me. My mum has supported me, along with Terry at Share. I’m excited to start working, keep busy and occupied, put all my strengths into my work. It’s amazing. My mum brought me to Share and I can’t believe I’ve become so successful.

‘I was very shy when I first came, trying to be confident and fit in. My mum supported me to help me, she wanted me to work hard and reach my goals.

‘I’m very proud of myself, I’ve tried my best, done my best and I will do my best. I want to show my skills and my confidence, and just do it with a can-do feeling.’

We’re thrilled for Fatima and wish her every success in her new venture, and beyond.

Find out more about employability support at Share.