We had our first session this week for A Focus on the Future employability project, funded by the Thomas Pocklington Trust, for young people with a visual impairment. Eleven students aged between 14 and 16 from different schools across the city, with their Support Assistants, met volunteers from Lloyds Banking Group and Hinckley and Rugby Building Society. Our volunteers gave inspiring, informative careers talks to the students and participated in a Q & A session.
Aleksandra, who works for Lloyds Banking Group, is blind and brought along her guide dog, Sallie. It was particularly inspiring for the young people to hear her story as she has had a varied, interesting career. She flagged up the need to have excellent organization and planning skills as a person with a visual impairment and encouraged the students to try new things.
Sophie and Mollie work for Hinckley and Rugby Building Society as Mortgage Advisors and gave interesting talks on the kinds of activities their work involves, how being organized and having excellent communications skills is vital in their roles. They also spoke about the importance of pursuing your passion when it comes to work and life and how having a supportive team can make all the difference to enjoyment of your work.
The students were also given very useful information on careers and preparing for transition from school by Julie, a Vision Support Specialist Teacher who works closely with the students in their schools. Leicestershire Cares facilitated discussion and hands-on activities about jobs and careers and identifying and building on skills that the students will need when considering careers options.
We will run a second session next week, in collaboration with volunteers from business who will give talks on CVs, and behaviours and expectations in the workplace. In the third session, we’ll give advice on preparing for interviews and end the session with one-to-one practice interviews with volunteers from business and the students.
The last session will be online on Wednesday 23rd March. We have a couple of spaces free.
If you’re interested in participating with this valuable session, please contact Education Development Officer Fiona@leicestershirecares.co.uk