I work for Henshaws

 

Matt, Student Enabler, Henshaws College 

Hi, my name is Matt – I am a Student Enabler at Henshaws College. This is my first role in care and recently I passed my NVQ level 2 in Care and now receive an additional payment on my hourly rate.

 

Henshaws College students are aged between 16 and 24 and during term time they live in houses on the college campus. For some it is their first experience of living away from home so my role is very important in helping them to settle in and learn to do for themselves what their parents may have always done for them. The aim is to help them to become as self sufficient as possible so they can move on to more independent living once they leave college.

 

Some of the students I look after have physical disabilities, with or without visual impairments, and others have learning difficulties. Often the things we  take for granted, like making a cup of tea or walking to the bus stop are a big deal to them and I get a lot of satisfaction helping someone to acquire new skills and confidence. 

 

Outside college teaching hours the students can take part in a huge range of activities including Karaokes, discos and IT club or they might wish to visit friends in other houses. At weekends I assist the students with going out to the shops or on trips. I also help students with art and craft projects or baking. We have a swimming pool and gym on the campus and many of our students get involved with the Special Olympics and swimming competitions.

 

I work a variety of shifts normally including one at the weekend for which I am paid an additional £1.50 an hour. I work during term time plus an additional few days for training so it means I am off during most of the holidays. There are sometimes opportunities to work additional shifts for which I am paid a bonus.

 

Elaine Stewart – Family Support Worker, Henshaws Merseyside

I give advice, information and support to families affected by visual impairment. The thing I enjoy most is meeting and interacting with families.  Running events and groups helps families form relationships with others facing similar difficulties. 

Seeing these positive friendships develop and helping people who face difficulties due to their visual impairment really makes my job worthwhile.

 

Hannah Saxon – Community Fundraiser, Henshaws Yorkshire

My role is extremely varied!  I organise community events and fundraising activities.  One day I might be organising volunteer supporters for a collection, another day I could be speaking to local schools about Henshaws. 

The thing I enjoy most about my job is getting out and speaking to people. When people see what Henshaws is all about, and decide to donate money, that’s really satisfying.

 

John Mitchell – Skills for Life Tutor, Henshaws College

I develop students’ literacy, numeracy, speaking and listening skills so they can live their lives as independently as possible.   We work on topics such as money, telephone and shopping skills.  I help students to find the best way to record their work be it print, braille, symbols, audio or using ICT.

The most rewarding part of my role is seeing the students’ progress. 

They often start college with restricted communication, and three years later at graduation you can see their independence has flourished. 

 

Jack Millner – Community Housing Support Worker, Henshaws Yorkshire

My job is really varied.  I help residents to learn Braille, go to the gym, go swimming, do their weekly shop and cook their meals.  I allow them their independence while giving support when needed.

I enjoy building a rapport with the residents, encouraging them do to as much as they can themselves. We work in a small team here, and I enjoy seeing my friends here on a weekly basis.

 

Philippa Taylor – Skillstep Coordinator, Henshaws North East

I coordinate the Skillstep course, which supports blind and visually impaired adults into employment. I liaise with placement providers, course tutors and current and prospective students. 

For me the most rewarding part of my role is at the end of the course when most of the students have secured employment or entered further education. 

 

For a student to come and say “thanks for everything, I wouldn’t have got my job without it” makes it all worthwhile.