Local lads Kallum and Kai are two of the latest success stories to emerge from United Response’s ‘My Pathway, My Employment’ programme – a dedicated 1:1 employment support service which helps people with learning disabilities or autism find work in North Yorkshire.

Kallum (23) and Kai (20) are lifelong fans of the blossoming Yorkshire club, which last season was promoted into the Football League and recently beat Concord Rangers at Wembley to win its first-ever FA Trophy title.

It’s a proud moment to be given the opportunity to start a traineeship for the club that I support and help it grow. It’s good for people with special needs to gain experience of the working world that they can use in future.

Kallum

Joining a club well and truly on the up, Kallum is working with the grounds team in carrying out maintenance before, during and after every home game while Kai has been learning all-things customer service and retail whilst working with club staff.

I feel privileged to gain skills and experience with the club which could open up further opportunities for me. I think the support from Stephen has been really helpful and useful. It’s good for people with special needs to gain experience in work.

Kai

Their journey began when United Response job coach Stephen Jackson was made aware of Harrogate Town AFC starting traineeship programmes.

Having been out of work for around two years, the boys were presented the perfect opportunity to engage with a forward-thinking organisation seeking new recruits. Needless to say, they both jumped at the opportunity.

Stephen has already noted the positive effects of their traineeships – reporting a rise in confidence and a reduction in anxiety in the pair.

But it is not only the boys themselves who are feeling the benefits of the arrangement. Iain Service, Community Development Manager at Harrogate Town AFC has enjoyed seeing the progress that Kallum and Kai have shown.

It has been fantastic to welcome Kallum and Kai to the Club. They have both shown a tremendous amount of commitment and willingness to learn.

Over the last few weeks they have developed skills and knowledge that will help them in their future careers. We are excited to look at ways in which the traineeship can lead to further job opportunities for the pair.

Iain Service

With the traineeships almost in full swing as lockdown and restrictive measures become closer to winding down this summer, job coach Stephen has been able to reflect on the purpose and success of the charity’s programme.

He said:

The whole project is about moving forward and enabling the jobseeker to have more confidence, especially in the current circumstances.

There are some jobs out there but they aren’t always suitable for disabled people, so there is a real need for a programme like ours which focuses on people with disabilities can bring to an organisation – likewise what support and training they require.

I know how well this has worked out for the lads as they are already setting themselves new goals – the latest of which is trying to get me, a Leeds fan, to go to a Harrogate game with them!

United Response supports people with disabilities, autism and mental health needs to find work experience, traineeships and paid employment.

Find a Supported Employment service near you