Long-Term Unemployed Carer Mum Forges Career In Care Sector Through Workways+

After nearly 14 years away from the workplace caring for her autistic son, mum Emma Williams wanted to return to work but was struggling to find a job that could fit around her son’s routine. Emma was referred to Workways+ who offered her a range of assistance including paid work experience, training and confidence building. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Once Emma was ready, the Workways+ team identified Tomms Care as a suitable company to begin her journey to employment. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Tomms Care in Port Talbot provides an individualised service to young adults with autism and related disabilities. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

After carrying out some paid work experience, she then went on to complete a 3 month paid work opportunity after which she was offered a permanent 30 hour position. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Emma said “I was delighted, it was a big step returning to work after 14 years but I felt ready. My mentor helped me no end, he helped build my confidence and made me realise I could give something back. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I wanted to work in the care sector as I wanted to support other families and children that were going through the same difficulties as me. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I’m learning new skills every day which I can adapt to my home life with caring for my son. Life is so much better now, I have a regular wage and I’m more confident in myself.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Carol Williams, Director of Tomms Care said “Emma initially joined us on a 3 month placement and she’s fitted in to the team perfectly. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“She’s great with the service users and everyone loves her. Emma was able to adapt her personal experience into work and we are delighted to have her as part of our team. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We have worked with Workways+ in the past and we’ve built up a good relationship so they know the type of people we’re looking for. We will definitely be using them again.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Ali Thomas, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council said “This is another excellent example of the support Workways+ can offer local jobseekers and employers alike. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Hearing the views of Emma and Carol demonstrates the important assistance the project offers.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Workways+ is backed by £7.5m of EU funds through the Welsh Government. The project is led by Neath Port Talbot Council in collaboration with Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion Councils. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​