Mark Gamston - Good News Story
Mark was referred to Whitehouse Enterprise in Aug 2007 to undertake a 6 week Work Preparation programme. Mark had been assessed for ASD at the age 18 however the diagnoses was that he did not have it. It was felt that his lack of confidence due to his speech impediment was the cause of him displaying symptoms of Aspersers.
 
Previously Mark had attended a painting and decorating course at Suffolk College.  He then went on to do an apprenticeship with Cardinal Decorators but left as he felt intimidated by the male colleagues. Mark then worked voluntarily for 3 years in a Sense Charity shop sorting clothes, till work, serving customers and delivering/collecting charity bags.
 
Mark’s tasks at Whitehouse involved delivering, stocking, cleaning and sorting out vending machines at Claydon and Newmarket sites. He was good at the task’s he completed however Mark was still very introvert and did not mix much at work with other team members.
 
In November 2007 Mark was offered a 6 month contract of employment working in Catering. Mark passed his food hygiene certificate in Feb 2008 with support from Whitehouse.  He continued to do the vending machine deliveries and on his return to Whitehouse would work in the Canteen. Here he was shown some basic catering and gradually Marks confidence was growing.
 
When the vending machine contract finished in June 2008 Mark was given the choice of continuing his training in catering or working in the factory. He chose to continue his catering training and was quick to learn food preparation, till operation and other catering tasks. Mark serves customers at St Lawrence Café and the Whitehouse Canteen where he demonstrates good customer service skills.  Mark passed his Food Safety in Catering Level 2 in February 2008. He started an NVQ level 2 in Catering late 2008 and has now almost completed this.
 
Marks hours were increased to full time in July 2008 in order for him to be able to work both at the St Lawrence Centre café and the Whitehouse canteen. He was promoted to Keyworker in March 2009 as he demonstrated excellent skills in catering and was able to oversee the cafes with very little supervision. Mark now also oversees the café at the Felixstowe library and covers for the cooks on some shifts.
 
Mark had to be encouraged to attend social functions initially but now enjoys socialising with staff. His confidence and social skills have grown immensely; his mother had previously stated he had no social life. Mark now gets on well with all staff members and he continues to be a valuable and flexible employee.
 
Mark was made permanent in July 2009 following his progression from the Workstep programme and has now sustained his progression as of January 2010.

Paul Pester - Good News Story
Paul last worked for Countryside Show Jumps making horse jumping stands.  Paul had a 2 year break from work after suffering health problems with Arthritis in his neck, back, wrists and an embolism in his leg.
 
Paul was referred to Whitehouse on the Work Preparation programme in April 2008 to assess his ability to return to work. During this time he trained on the assembling of various garden benches. Paul successfully completed the programme.  His previous knowledge and experience as a Milling Machine Operator were evident and Paul was taken on the Workstep programme to receive ongoing support in May 2008. It was evident that Paul was able to manage his disability when completing the physical tasks with the support of other team members. With the expansion of the Bench Making and increased sales Paul became a key member of the team working on new projects and plans. He was made permanent following his progression from Workstep in July 2009. He has sustained his progression as of January 2010.
 
Paul enjoys all the tasks that he completes and is very happy with his role. Paul actively helps with the making of proto types for new designs with the assistance of other team members. These range from garden benches, picnic benches, outdoor play equipment and outdoor classrooms. The latest project was a fort play area with a slide.
 
Paul gets on well with all colleagues and is a reliable, flexible and enthusiastic member of staff.

Chris Stocks - Good News Story
Chris had not worked for 12 years due to back problems and was keen to return to work. His last job was Packing at Ipswich Docks for 4 years from 1990 – 1994. Chris was referred to Whitehouse Enterprises for a Work Preparation programme to assess his ability to return to work. Chris successfully completed the programme and was taken on to the Workstep programme in January 2007.
 
It soon became apparent that Chris had the ability to work on a wide range of Assembling and Packing tasks. He also demonstrated he had the ability to train fellow workers in a friendly and helpful manner. Management was very pleased with Chris’s development and in 2007 Chris was made up to a Key Worker position that he really enjoys.
 
Chris mainly works in the Curtain Rod assembling section. This is an area he helped to re-organise in order to achieve maximum efficiency and create a more ergonomic working space. Chris now trains fellow workers and Work Preparation clients in all areas. He enjoys all the tasks that he completes and does not let his back problem interfere with his work. When production needs require Chris is always willing to do extra hours and work in other sections. He is now also helping out in the catering section at weekends in the new café that has opened in Gainsborough Library. Chris will have formal catering training in order to be able to be fully competent in this role.
 
Chris was extended beyond his 2 year contract and is now a permanent member of staff having progressed from the support of Workstep in May 2009 and consequently sustaining his progression in November 2009. He enjoys his work immensely and gets satisfaction when helping others to achieve their potential.
 
Chris is a well liked member of staff with an excellent sense of humour who gets on well with all staff and managers. He regularly attends social functions and in particular enjoys the Christmas party where he has won the fancy dress competition two years in a row.

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Simon Gardiner
Simon, 20, is a catering assistant at Whitehouse Enterprises in Ipswich

Simon says: “Ever since I was small I’ve been interested in cooking and used to help prepare food for the family. I knew I wanted to work in catering. I really couldn’t see myself doing anything different.”

Simon, who has mild learning difficulties, went to Westbourne High School in Ipswich. At the age of 14 he opted to spend two days a week at Suffolk College learning about catering. At 16 he moved to the college full time and gained an NVQ1 and NVQ2. While a college Simon did a work placement at Ipswich Town Football Club as part of their food preparation team. This boosted his confidence by giving him experience in a different catering environment.

Simon’s next step was to meet with the Disability Advisor at Jobcentre Plus. She suggested he try a catering Taster Day at Whitehouse Enterprises (a Social Enterprise supporting disabled people to move into employment) and he has never looked back! He enjoyed the catering Taster Day so much he joined their six-week work preparation programme so that his skills could be fully assessed. As a result Simon was offered paid employment in their catering department, Created 4 You Catering.

Simon’s duties include preparing sandwiches for commercial vending machines, preparing buffets for outside catering and preparing food - ranging from baguettes to full dinners - for their canteen. In addition he helps with keeping the kitchen spotless and with ordering stock.

Simon says: “I enjoy the work at Whitehouse. The people are friendly and helpful and the work is interesting. I’m never bored.”

There is a good social scene at Whitehouse too with opportunities to try bowling, go-carting, horse racing at Newmarket and other activities. There are even visits to London.

”There are lots of chances to try new things. I like earning my own money because it means I can do the things I want.”

In addition to employment Simon leads a busy life. He does voluntary work with the 4YP drop-in centre in Ipswich, helping a professional chef teach young people to cook. Plus he is a keen sportsman, running with the Ipswich Harriers and training at the Northgate track several times a week. Simon competes in cross-country competitions and also in the triple jump.

Simon isn’t sure yet what the next step will be after working at Whitehouse. It is likely he will continue on Workstep, the government programme that supports disabled people in their jobs so that they can work effectively and continue to develop in their roles.

This case study was produced by the Suffolk Education Business Partnership as part of the Informing Choices European Social Fund project.

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Creative sign solutions moves in the right direction
November 2007 saw the relocation of Creative sign solutions to a spacious new studio and workshop environment where Paul Baldwin and his dedicated team promote their ethos of design through to installation.