Vasukie’s story
Vasukie Manmathan, a 41-year-old from Essex, is a fantastic example of how individuals can flourish with the right support and community connections. Her path to increased confidence, independence, and self-esteem has been achieved through Essex Cares Ltd (ECL) and Essex County Council’s Community Connector Programme, which helps people with learning disabilities and autism build meaningful ties in their local communities.
When Katie from the ECL Community Connector team first met Vasukie and her sister, Vasukie was so shy that she struggled to speak for herself, allowing her sister to communicate on her behalf.
Recognising that Vasukie could benefit from activities to build her social skills and confidence, Katie recommended the One Colchester Community Hub, which offers a variety of social groups and activities. Vasukie was enthusiastic about the idea and began attending the hub regularly, particularly enjoying the friendship and board game groups.
Over the following two months, Vasukie’s confidence began to soar. The activities at the hub provided her with a welcoming space to practice her English, make new friends, and feel comfortable around others. When Katie caught up with Vasukie again, she was delighted by the transformation—Vasukie now spoke up for herself and even shared a new long term ambition of finding paid employment.
As Vasukie had no previous work experience, she was open to gaining experience by starting with volunteer work. Katie arranged for her to volunteer one day a week at the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) store in Colchester. Katie initially accompanied Vasukie, helping her to become familiar with travelling to and from the shop, guiding her on how to sort the clothing donations, and helping her feel at ease with her colleagues. Vasukie was eager to learn, and within just three weeks, she had gained enough confidence to manage her tasks entirely independently.
Vasukie has made so much progress. Her communication skills have improved hugely, and every time I pop into the shop, she’s got a big smile on her face. Her independence has increased greatly, she walks to work independently and will even pop to the shop to buy provisions for her sister.
This new sense of independence and purpose has encouraged Vasukie to reach for even more. Reflecting on her progress, Vasukie shared, “My next goal is to attend college to study an IT class. I couldn’t have imagined achieving these things before I met Katie, so I’m very grateful!”
Vasukie’s story highlights the impact of the Community Connector Programme and the dedication of the ECL team in supporting individuals in building self-confidence, skills, and meaningful community connections. Thanks to their support, Vasukie is now on an exciting path towards greater independence and fulfilment, with a brighter future ahead.