GO-getting Londoner Susan Brown* left college like any other bright-eyed young girl, eager to get stuck into life and work.
But with few qualifications, and hampered by learning disabilities, Susan's job hunting hit a brick wall. Told she was 'too good' for day care, and yet apparently unemployable, she was frustrated, depressed and in danger of getting lost in the day care system.
She doesn't even recognise herself now. After seven years in a full time paid job, she's yearning for a change of career, more qualifications and a higher income as she starts saving to marry her fiancé. If Shaw Trust's alternative to day care programme is about progression, Susan is a whiz-bang example.
"Life is good," she smiles. "I found it so very difficult before I got into training and work. Now I love getting out and doing something. I enjoy meeting people I wouldn't normally meet, and helping them, just like I was helped."
Life changed for Susan, now 32, ten years ago. She insisted that her Job Centre put her in touch with a Disability Employment Advisor. That led to a meeting with Sheila Clements, now a Stanmore Horticultural Project Manager for Shaw Trust's alternative to day care Clamphill Project.
"I was in Middlesex and Susan was in North West Thames that first day we spoke on the phone, yet she managed to travel to see me that afternoon," Sheila recalls.
"I couldn't understand why a young lady with such resourcefulness was having such trouble finding employment."
That was the first of many meetings. One of Shaw Trust's strengths is always being there to support clients, even years later.
When Sheila joined Clamphill in 1998, Susan was one of the first five students. Susan gained a number of NVQ qualifications ("That made me feel good about myself.") and then moved onto Shaw Trust Social Firm Greenworks. She got a job at a local Sainsbury's store seven years ago, and determinedly worked her way up from bag packing three days a week to a full time checkout assistant.
Ironically, her hours had been cut to three days a week when Sheila phoned to ask whether she'd like to take part in today's conference and now Shaw Trust has stepped in again to help Susan to find new employment.
Sheila says: "That's the enduring way that the Trust works. We're there to give support and guidance when it's needed and then when the person is employed and happy, we're still there, but not visible."
"It has been wonderful to see how Susan has progressed, and lovely to be part of her life."
Susan explains how her life has changed. "People like me find it very hard to get on with life because our disability isn't obvious. But we want to live, just like everyone else."
*Susan's name has been changed
