Success Stories

Meet Alisha

A shy young lady that started a work experience placement at Lincs Inspire-Cleethorpes library as a Linkage college student in January 2024. Initially Alisha started by working side by side with her job coach supporting a group for toddlers and young children, the group is called Shake, rattle and read.

The placement was tailored to help Alisha build her confidence, so she started by just doing a couple of hours which gradually increased and the job coach faded out support of Alisha as she began to settle and become more confident.

Shortly after commencing the placement, the library were opening a sensory room. Alisha played a key role in trialling and sourcing different sensory equipment, planning the room and the biggest honour was Alisha cut the ribbon to officially open the room.

Following the success of opening the room, Alisha was nominated for a National Award-Seriously Social Award for Outstanding Volunteer. The Awards night was in Manchester, Alisha, Anna (Manager at the library) and Job coach Laura attended the spectacular night. To quote Alisha ‘It was the best night of my life’. Alisha was a very proud runner up and almost relieved to not have to go up on stage if she did win. At the awards night we shared a table with other nominated individuals, who by the end of the night Alisha was freely conversing with and clearly enjoying herself.

The event was hosted by Sally Gunnell OBE who made a real effort to chat with Alisha and find out a little more information regarding her progress and the sensory room.

Before Graduating college, Alisha had increased her hours of work experience to a full day on Wednesdays to include another group session which is an over 50s dancing social group called Boogie Books and a Brew. Initially Alisha would set up and clear down for the group, tending to stay move out the way to the side of the room. Before long Alisha was ready to get involved and shocked everyone when she just joined in with the dance routines.

In the Summer of 2025 Alisha was given the opportunity to increase her volunteering by getting involved with the sensory group on Mondays, Alisha instantly loved the group and joins in with everything. She has began to bond with some of the children and parents/carers. The group is predominantly for visual and hearing impaired young children where a mixture of BSL is used along with gesturing and words.

Alisha has a great relationship with all the staff at the library where she is able to express her wicked sense of humour, enjoying banter with all. She is clearly loved and appreciated by all and continues to flourish, building new skills, travelling independently and increasing her confidence.

Meet Cohen

Cohen started a work experience placement at Scope charity shop in September 2024, quickly he found his feet and loved it, so much that he volunteered on his days off college. Cohen’s commitment and progress was noticed by all, especially the shop manager Julie.

Cohen was offered the opportunity to do a qualification that upon successful completion of would make him a Lead 1 Volunteer. Being a Lead 1 volunteer gives Cohen more responsibilities such as, he is able to mentor others, work the till to provide refunds, deal with returns and more. As Cohen would be completing this qualification around his college timetable, Julie was able to negotiate Cohen having an extension and other reasonable adjustments to support him to complete the course. Cohen was in fact successful and is hoping to work towards his Lead 2 Volunteer certificate. This is currently in conversation between Julie and the area manager. Cohen has experience of some of the responsibilities gained by being Lead 2 as he shadows Julie at any opportunity. He is a valued member of the team and continues to develop more transferrable work skills, whilst also having his own mascot business.

Shortly after the start of the academic year 2025, Cohen asked if he could increase his hours at Scope within his college timetable giving him 2 sessions a week whilst at college and he picks up extra on his days off college.

Cohen is looking to progress onto a Supported Internship academic year 2026, he has regular conversations about his aspirations with his job coach and Julie his supervisor at Scope.

Meet Daisy

As a student at Linkage college Daisy gained a work experience placement in February 2024 where she worked as a café assistant at Cornerstone café. Initially Daisy required a lot of support in building her emotional resilience and increasing her transferable work skills, after a couple of months Daisy made a friend at work who is a fellow volunteer.

This friend became more like a mentor to Daisy which gave Daisy the self confidence to believe that she could do tasks and jobs herself. This was a half day placement that supported her catering course at college. Daisy was a much loved and valued member of the volunteer team at Cornerstone.

In preparation for progressing into a placement with more hours and that could in the future lead to paid work, Daisy started to attend another work experience placement at Temple Croft for half a day alongside her current placement at Cornerstone in April 2025. This was to support Daisy with the transition the coming September to 2 full days at Temple Croft working alongside the Activities Coordinator Lucy. On the run up to the Summer holidays 2025 Daisy was still very dependent on Linkage staff and wasn’t confident enough to do things independently at work.

Daisy with support at Temple croft:

WOW! The young lady that returned to college after the Summer holidays 2025 has become so much more confident, she has matured into a young lady that wants to work and gain new skills. On the first day back at Temple Croft, Daisy was straight in by gaining access to the building herself and remembered the process for signing in without prompts or support.

Daisy really has blown everyone away both at college and work experience as to how much she has progressed over Summer and become much more confident and independent. Daisy is always excited and happy to go to work, she enjoys every aspect of it and has built fantastic relationships with the staff and residents at Temple Croft, one resident even calls Daisy her best friend.

The family of this resident have gone on holiday for a month and asked Daisy to look after their mum who is 92 years old. Daisy now thrives on responsibility and helping, anything asked of her by her supervisor Lucy, Daisy will do.

Meet Megan

Megan had previously worked in admin and domestics as internal work experience placements, developing transferable work skills, increasing her confidence and promoting professionalism within a work environment.

Before preparation for a Supported internship (SI) in September 2025, where Megan started a work experience placement at Temple Croft care home 1 day a week during the academic year 24/25. Megan worked alongside her job coach (Laura) learning the role of an activities coordinator.

At first Megan was so shy and quiet, she was reluctant to do anything without Laura by her side, gradually Megan became more confident in herself and Laura was within the building but not stuck by her side. This increased Megan’s confidence more and as she got to know more people she was settled and would do more independently. On the run up to the summer Megan worked with Laura on travel training in preparation for her SI in September. Megan was quickly assessed and passed as being independent to walk to and from work, meaning in September Megan could just walk to work independently. Megan showed confidence during the assessment process and is proud of her achievements.

Megan since September:

Megan did tend to prefer working on tasks that she could quietly work alone upon, so kept herself busy organising, making and tidying before Summer. Tasks such as making bookmarks to sell at the Summer Fayre, organising and tidying the activities cupboards.

Upon return as a SI in September, Megan increased her hours at work to 2 full days a week. She was supported to settle back in and is now confident enough to work alongside her supervisor Lucy (activities coordinator) without oversight of her job coach. Megan can travel independently to and from work, she can now be set on a task to complete independently and is confident enough to ask for clarification/help if needed.

Megan completes a variety of tasks, such as cleaning with the domestic team, spending time chatting with the residents, doing various activities with residents (painting, nail painting, crafts, serving drinks, serving ice creams and joining in external visitor activities).

More recently, Megan has built such a relationship with Lucy that she has felt comfortable and confident enough to tell Lucy all about her syndrome from birth and the progress she has made, overcoming a lot of barriers along the way.

Meet Stefan

Stefan joined Cambridge Park Academy at just four years old. In the early days, communication was a challenge, and he often found it difficult to express his needs or emotions. With the understanding, patience, and encouragement of staff, Stefan gradually began to make remarkable progress, developing his confidence, communication, and independence along the way.

Throughout his time at Cambridge Park, Stefan has become a confident, caring, and determined young man. He has embraced a wide range of opportunities, including swimming, community activities, and residential trips, each helping him to build valuable life skills. His dedication and positive attitude have also led to him achieving both his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver Awards, showcasing his resilience and commitment.

Now aged 18, Stefan is thriving in Cambridge Park Academy’s Sixth Form. With ongoing support from staff, he has begun volunteering at Marks and Spencer, gaining valuable experience in customer service and teamwork. Stefan also contributes to school life as a Careers Co-Pilot, where he mentors and supports other students during their work experience placements.

In addition, Stefan plays an active role in the school’s Animal Care programme as a Cadet Technician, nurturing the animals and supporting their wellbeing and development.

Looking ahead, Stefan is preparing for an exciting next step. He is set to pursue an internship next year through John Leggott College, where he will have the opportunity to work alongside the police or North Lincolnshire Council, further developing his independence and career aspirations.

Outside of school, Stefan is also learning to drive, supported by his family and proud to have recently received his first car from his mum.

Stefan’s journey through Cambridge Park Academy is a shining example of how care, consistency, and opportunity can help a young person reach their full potential. From a quiet and anxious child to a capable and compassionate young adult, Stefan continues to inspire both staff and students with his determination and growth.