How we can help Work Lauren Portis balancing study and work during COVID-19 Posted 16.12.2020 Job Match Supported Employment Officer Lauren Portis returned to higher education in September this year to study a BSc Honours degree in Social Work at Belfast Metropolitan College and Ulster University. Lauren says: This has been something that I had been considering for a while, and over the past year I decided to take the plunge and apply. Whilst working in the voluntary sector for many years and especially the last three years as a Supported Employment Officer with Job Match, I have developed a real passion in wanting to help empower people to change their lives, and advocate for equality of vulnerable people who struggle to have their voice heard. I hope this is something that I can achieve moving forward both in my role with Job Match and as a student. It’s been great to have the support of my colleagues and manager in Job Match, especially now that I am working part-time. Working and studying remotely has been an adjustment, and certainly not something I envisioned at the start of the year, but 2020 has been a year of challenge for us all. I have found my role as a Supported Employment Officer has really helped in my studies to understand topics such as Social Policy and Professional Identity, and in turn will hopefully benefit the participants I support. Read more about Job Match and how we help disabled people to find paid work