Candice from North Ayrshire proves that anyone can overcome barriers no matter what they may be. She has successfully secured a job working in retail after joining Fair Start Scotland, the employment support service.
Why Candice joined Fair Start Scotland service
Candice, 20, is profoundly deaf, has some learning disabilities and a speech impediment. She joined Fair Start Scotland after reading an article in her local paper. At the time she joined she was unemployed and her confidence was really low.
Despite Candice and her mum both being sceptical of the support on offer due to previous bad experiences on other programmes, Candice signed up and was partnered with personal adviser Craig McAteer from the Lennox Partnership, which delivers some of the service on behalf of StartScotland.
How Fair Start Scotland helped
Craig worked closely with Candice to make sure all of her needs were met. She was given the opportunity to take part in a work placement with Marks and Spencer on their prestigious Marks and Starts programme, based at their Irvine store.
To help settle Candice’s nerves Craig attended a pre-placement meeting with Candice and the store manager to discuss her duties, rotas, breaks and meet some of her new team to put her at ease.
And after impressing managers during her work placement, Candice was delighted to be offered a 12 weeks paid employment with the possibility of being offered permanent work. Her manager said “she is progressing well, and is a much-valued member of staff and a fantastic addition to the team”.
Her new role has given Candice the confidence to grow and an insight into the world of retail and what it has to offer. Craig will continue to offer in-work support and hopes to land Candice a permanent position.