Style Acre Work Programme

Employment support from our Work Programme

Since 2009, our Work Programme has been removing barriers to employment faced by adults with learning disabilities by giving employment support in Oxfordshire. As a result of the programme we now have 107 people supported to undertake paid and voluntary placements in our own social enterprises, office’s and hubs or with local companies.

Within our Work Team we have our Head of Work Programme and our Job Coach who organise work experience and voluntary and employment opportunities for the people we support, providing ongoing support and conducting regular progress reviews. They also support the employers to ensure placements are happy and productive.

We also have Employment Support Workers who provide direct support to teach people how to complete work tasks. This support may be occasional, at the start of a placement, or on an ongoing basis depending on individual need. Without this support some people would not be able to participate.

The Benefits of Working and Volunteering

New skills and knowledge

Increased confidence and independence

Meeting people and expanding social networks

Sense of purpose and improved self-esteem

Inclusion and recognition of contribution

Ben’s Story

Ben has been using his 1:1 support time to volunteer in the local community and take on a work placement at the Chocolate Café in Henley. As an keen train enthusiast Ben was very excited to also start volunteering at the Didcot Railway Centre where he helped to maintain the grounds. The placement then moved over to Wallingford Railway where Ben has become a valued member of their volunteer team. He really enjoys getting inside the train carriages to clean them and helps to maintain the platforms as well as having the opportunity to chat and share his knowledge with others who share his love of trains.

A gentleman sweeping a railway station - supported work programme in Oxfordshire

In 2023 Ben started a work placement at the Chocolate Café in Henley where he attends with his support worker once a week and he has progressed to being able to work independently most of the time, with support from shop manager Bernie. Bernie has been training Ben to use the till and take card payments. Bernie says “Ben has learnt it all very quickly and now also learning to do cash transactions.” Ben is a big hit with the customers, and is always very polite and helpful when serving and clearing tables.

About his work placements Ben’s parents say “Ben really enjoys his work experience and always says “I’m going to work today”, he really enjoys serving customers at the Chocolate Cafe and is pleased that this is like his mum’s job. He loves his time at the railway and tells us about carriage and platform cleaning and about the engines. It is clear that he gets enormous satisfaction and purpose from both his work placements. As parents we are really pleased that he has these opportunities and know that they mean a great deal to him”.

More stories about those engaged in our Work Programme can be found here:

Your Stories

How you can support our Work Programme

Donate

We need to raise funds so that people can access our employment support. We fundraise towards the costs of employing our Work team who help people we support find and keep work. The benefits of work are different for everyone, and our work team make it possible for people we support to fulfil their work and volunteering aspirations.

Offer a Work or Volunteer Opportunity

If you are interested in employing someone we support, please let us know and our Work Team will be in touch to discuss the possibilities and support we can offer.

Support our Social Enterprises

People we support work and volunteer at our Tea Room in Blewbury and charity shop in Wallingford so please eat and shop with us to help our social enterprises flourish. If you are in the market for biodegradable medals for sports events, consider ordering from our medal making workshop in Banbury. Green Acre, our garden maintenance business in South Oxfordshire will be happy to provide a quote for regular gardening work.