Elaine’s story
Elaine Shepherd is 55 years old, she lives in Harwich with her dad and loves to swim in the sea! She has a mild learning disability. Elaine held a paid job in a restaurant for 25 years but when that closed 15 years ago and her beloved mum had to go into a home, Elaine’s life shrunk and she rarely left her house, instead staying at home with her dad, playing computer games.
Elaine’s dad, Phillip, became concerned about Elaine’s lack of life outside of the house, he said, “I felt like Elaine was destined to be stuck at home with her dad. As I am getting older, I was worried about what would happen to her when I am no longer here.”
Fortunately, Elaine’s brother saw ECL’s Community Connector programme online, which helps adults with learning disabilities and/or autism in Essex to build connections and gain life experiences within the community. He contacted them on behalf of Elaine and from that point things took a turn for the better for Elaine.
When Community Connector, Katie, first met with Elaine she realised that although she had a paid job for 25 years, over the intervening years she had suffered a significant loss of confidence, independence, and social skills and that she would need to rebuild those before considering paid employment.
Katie carried out a Community Connector profile with Elaine and Phillip to find out more about Elaine’s interests and goals. Together they decided that a voluntary job would be the ideal scenario to facilitate Elaine to regain her confidence and skills. Phillip was keen that she learned to travel to and work independently.
Katie approached the East Anglia Children’s Hospices (EACH) store in Harwich and discovered that they were looking for a volunteer to help sort the clothing donations. She supported Elaine to complete her job application and to do a job trial and much to Elaine’s delight, she was offered the role. Katie worked alongside Elaine for a few weeks until she felt confident doing the job and interacting with her new colleagues.
She also helped Elaine to apply for a bus pass and to get comfortable with catching the bus independently. Elaine commented, “there is no way I could have done any of that without Katie, I just didn’t have the confidence.”
I am so happy to have a routine and a reason to get out of the house. I enjoy sorting through all the clothing donations, deciding if they’re good enough for the store and putting them on hangers. I’ve am very thorough, and I have a good eye for detail. I also like the company of my co-workers and customers, there’s one co-worker in particular that I have a laugh and banter with.
Elaine has volunteered two days a week at EACH for over a year now and she loves it.
Katie added, “I have seen a huge change in Elaine, she thrives on getting good feedback from her manager and her newfound self-esteem is evident in her appearance, she has been shopping for new clothes with her sister-in-law and has had her hair cut and coloured, she looks great, and she is always smiling.”
Elaine’s manager, Kathryn, wholeheartedly agrees, saying, “Elaine has come on leaps and bounds, growing in confidence and interacting with the other volunteers so well. She is always so happy in her work and makes us all laugh. She is a well-loved and valuable member of the volunteering team.”
Elaine is now carrying out her volunteering role fully independently. Katie just checks in with a call or pops by once a month to make sure everything is still going well. Elaine’s dad is over the moon that she now has a purpose in life and is building connections with the outside world. He is also hopeful that Elaine’s growing confidence will lead to her moving into a form of supported living, so he knows that she is settled and happy when he is no longer around.
He commented, “the Community Connecting team has changed Elaine’s life and I can’t thank Katie enough for everything she has done for Elaine.”