Posted 09.09.2021

Jenny Dolan first connected with Disability Action through the Workable NI programme.  She moved from a training placement into a paid employment situation in catering with supports in place delivered by Miriam and Colin from our Workable NI team.

Jenny received one to one support on disability related issues and attended training at Disability Action on personal development. We also provided bespoke training to Jenny’s employer on one of her medical conditions to support them to make the right reasonable adjustments for Jenny in her new role. Jenny also trained in patisserie in the evenings at FE and achieved Level 2 and 3.

Jenny then also linked in with Disability Action through our Face-2-Face project, in partnership with Youth Action NI, which gave young disabled people the opportunity to work with new people, learn about their rights and work to change things for all disabled people in Northern Ireland. It was as a participant on this project that Jenny developed a keen interest in disability activism and youth work, and went on to co-deliver sessions on these areas to the next group of Face-2-Face participants.

Through her involvement with Face-2-Face and successful transition from a training placement to paid employment with support from Workable NI, Jenny’s confidence increased and her interests in young people’s rights grew.

Jenny tells us:

I was keen to explore other options for employment in this area. So with Disability Action’s help I applied for a Youth Worker training post with the Education Authority Youth Service LYNC programme. I was successful in my application and am currently employed as a Trainee Youth Worker!

Jenny has also been successful in gaining a place on an undergraduate youth training course in partnership with Youth Action NI and Ulster University which she will commence this month. 

Miriam Bacon, Workable NI Manager said:

Jenny’s enthusiasm, energy and willingness to learn since we first met her has been fantastic to see. I’m delighted that she’s progressed into a new vocational area with support from our team and with an employer who is willing and open to ensure Jenny is supported in the workplace.

Read more on how Workable NI supports disabled people and their employers in the workplace.