I first met John in August 2022. John has high-functioning Autism, so struggles to identify body language, will not look you in the face and fidgets a lot.
He loves being outside and has spent the last 10 years volunteering with his dad for Lee Valley Regional Park. John really enjoyed tasks such as cutting back plantations, cutting down trees, putting up fencing, and tool maintenance. John was nicknamed 'the Mountain Man' because of his strength.
John and I had some good conversations about different options such as working for the council or working for private gardeners. We updated his CV, so it was more suitable and focused, ready to use when applying for jobs.
I was told about an opportunity that could suit John as it was a gardening role. This was a 6-week work experience placement at the Birch Hotel in their market garden.
I took John to see the Birch and was greeted by some wonderful members of staff. They were very accommodating and really wanted to make sure John’s needs were met. John said “They are so friendly, and I think I will get on well here”.
I supported John in the first 3 days of his 6-week work experience and I went to work with him every day. John had not worked without his dad, so it was a big step for John to take. John has also never worked in a market garden.
I checked in on John on a weekly basis and John was always very happy and really enjoying working for the Birch team. The head gardener was always very pleased with John and wanted to investigate trying to offer John some paid working hours.
Unfortunately, this year the gardening budget had all been spent. So, there were no funds to employ another gardener. However, they were so impressed, they did not want to let John go without offering him some sort of work. So, they have offered him a seasonal contract. They would like John to work for them from March to October. This is Birch’s busiest harvesting and planting season. This would be on a full-time basis. John was over the moon with this offer as he has never been in paid employment. He signed the contract straight away.
Written by John's Employment Advisor at our Inclusive Employment partner, SPS Training