My name is Lee I am 23 years old and I have been supported by Mencap on the EmployAbility programme since January 2015.

During this time, Mencap Employment Officers have supported me to complete voluntary work placements to enhance my employability skills and help me to secure a temporary paid employment contract in retail over the 2015 Christmas period. In these roles I got the opportunity to develop my skills and build up my confidence, I also got the chance to work as a team member.

I’m always keen to develop new skills, so Mencap supported me to return to college and complete a refresher course in Essential Skills ICT Level 1 at South West College, Enniskillen. I am very pleased to say that I have now began my ICT Level 2 course.

I attend the Mencap Job Club on a weekly basis and I feel that I have benefited greatly from the support that was provided to me by Mencap. I’ve always been determined to reach my goals and was supported by Mencap to apply for various part time positions and to attend as many interviews as possible. I’ve been able to develop in these interviews by seeking feedback and then practising my interview technique.

I have always been committed to finding permanent paid employment and in September 2016 I was successful in gaining a permanent part-time position at Poundstretcher in Enniskillen as a Shop Assistant. My Employment Officer at Mencap is always available to offer support to both me and staff at Poundstretcher, should they need it, as I settle into the initial weeks of employment in my new post.

I am glad to have got this job and I am happy here.