KM is a caring individual with a learning difficulty in her early thirties, who has achieved great success with the support from the GOLD team.
KM relocated to the UK from abroad with her parents; she had a working visa but faced the huge challenge of building a new life in a new country. Struggling with social isolation, limited confidence, and independence, KM found support and guidance through the GOLD team.
The GOLD team introduced KM to social groups and provided an opportunity to gain work experience at The ScrapStore project. This is an initiative by East Kent Mencap, which operates as a craft store raising funds through donations and volunteer efforts.
Actively engaging with GOLD’s social activities, KM developed a new network of friendships and learnt essential skills through volunteering at The ScrapStore. From learning to operate the till to managing stock donations and serving customers, KM demonstrated the importance of hands-on experience.
KM’s parents witnessed her remarkable progress. They commented on GOLD’s ethos of “I can” over “I can’t”, emphasising the encouragement and patience displayed by the GOLD team. With their guidance, KM not only secured part-time employment as a Co-Researcher at a local university but also navigated through the application, interview, and induction processes with confidence.
KM is now a happy, confident and busy individual. She is enjoying her new job, has a strong network of friends and attends engaging social activities. KM is also a valuable volunteer for the GOLD project and East Kent Mencap.
KM’s parents expressed enormous gratitude for the impact of the GOLD project.
KM’s parents said, “We are so proud of KM. GOLD has helped her to be more independent and secure. She has grown in leaps and bounds with what she is doing and where she is going. As parents of a young adult with a learning difficulty you don’t know what the limits are, and KM is breaking down the barriers and achieving things we didn’t know she would. She won’t stop here; she will continue to do more with GOLD and East Kent Mencap.”
