WorkFit Update: January 2024

Six of our WorkFit candidates are now working in the House of Commons in various roles.

Amy (pictured) and James, two of our WorkFit candidates who have started new roles in UK Parliament, have recently been featured on the Radio 4 World Tonight team. You can listen to their fabulous interviews, as well as Lydia from our WorkFit team, on BBC Sounds from about 20 minutes 30 seconds into the programme.

 

Amy was also recently interviewed by ITV on Good Morning Britain, alongside Speaker of the House of Commons the Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP.

Check out the recordings on our YouTube channel:
https://loom.ly/smHwiVk
https://loom.ly/E8F1kUw

 

Congratulations to many of our other WorkFit candidates who have also celebrated achievements at work recently:

A big congratulations to Florence, who celebrated her 5 year work anniversary at Brainlabs as a postmaster and librarian, and will soon also celebrate 4 years working at BaxterStorey in catering and hospitality!

 

 

Olivia was excited to be awarded ‘Employee of the Month’ as voted by her fellow colleagues at H&M Exeter.

 

 

 

 

 

Eashan, who works at Sheffield Train Station for Vinci Facilities, has completed his BICSc LTP and BU6 skills in damp wiping. Many congratulations on completing your qualification, Eashan!

 

 

 

 

 

Well done to Max who is celebrating his 1 year work anniversary at Christie’s Fine Art Auction House in London.

He told us ‘I love this job because I enjoy my tasks such as working in the cloak room, meeting guests on arrival at the door, unpacking the auction catalogues and learning so much about art. I also enjoy spending time with my work colleagues.

Earning a salary is important to me so I can enjoy my days off and buy coffee pods and milk for my coffee machine!’

 

 

We are all looking forward to celebrating World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March 2024. The theme this year is ‘End the Stereotypes’, and we will be sharing lots of content on our social media channels and website that celebrates the individuality of every person who has Down’s syndrome. If you’d like to get involved, click here to find out more.

 

Don’t forget that the new design for #LotsofSocks 2024 is also available to purchase now! This is a great way to support the work of the Down’s Syndrome Association, and could be a wonderful gift or corporate giveaway.

You can buy them directly from our online shop. Or, if you would like to place a bulk order please contact events@downs-syndrome.org.uk

 

In line with World Down Syndrome Day, we are planning our WorkFit Online National Conference on Tuesday 12 March 3-5pm.

This is an opportunity for our candidates, employers, families, professionals and supporters, to hear from some of our members about their experiences over the past year, and to celebrate lots of success.

Everyone is welcome – Sign up here.

 

 

 

Finally we would like to say thank you to all of our supporters, including the Hilton Global Foundation and Conrad N Hilton Foundation, who have awarded generous grants to support our work over the past year. We are very grateful for their support.

Thank you to all of our employers for their continued support of our WorkFit programme, and good luck to everyone starting new roles this month. 

To find out more about WorkFit and how we support people who have Down’s syndrome to access meaningful work opportunities that can benefit the rest of their lives, please contact the team on 0333 12 12 300 or email us on dsworkfit@downs-syndrome.org.uk For more information visit the WorkFit website: www.dsworkfit.org.uk