Charlotte’s inspiring career journey

Meet Charlotte, a determined 20-year-old from Eckington, whose hard work has led her from being a student at Ashgate Croft Specialist School in Derbyshire to a rewarding role as a domestic colleague at Eckington Court Nursing Home. Here, she discovered a passion for helping others and playing an active part in her local community.

Charlotte’s career journey started through ‘Project Search’ at Ashgate Croft Specialist School, which is a programme designed to introduce young people living with learning disabilities to the world of work. The programme provides students with invaluable life skills as well as practical experience in a variety of fields.

Project Search gave Charlotte her first taste of the professional world. ‘I started my work experience at Chesterfield Royal Hospital as a cleaner. I was there for a couple of months and then I moved onto the eye centre, also as part of the cleaning team,’ Charlotte reflects. ‘I liked being there but it was quite far from my home, so when I found out that I could do my work project at Eckington I was so happy’.

Charlotte, who lives just down the street from Eckington Court, was already familiar with the home. "We have a very close-knit community here in Eckington," says Trudy, the Home Manager. ‘Many of us, myself included, watched Charlotte grow up. She would often visit with her mum. So, when her school approached us about a work experience programme for her, it was an easy decision.’

Charlotte started her work experience at Eckington Court earlier this year, working closely with her supervisor, Lesley, a Senior Housekeeper with 16 years of experience at the home. During this time, Charlotte received essential training in areas like health and safety, manual handling, and COSHH, while also learning the ins and outs of the job, building relationships with her colleagues and the people who live at the home.

Charlotte completed her 6-month programme in July and, to her surprise, was offered a full-time position as a domestic colleague by Trudy and Lesley. Charlotte joked that even though she had already been offered the job, she still had to go through a mini-interview and fill out plenty of paperwork. She was thrilled to officially join the team and fulfil her dream of working in a care home.

Her new career and hard work was recognised on her graduation day, a lively event, which she helped organise. It was held at Chesterfield Royal Hospital where Charlotte's journey first began. ‘It was a busy day, but it felt great to be a part of it,’ she says. Charlotte’s dedication didn’t go unnoticed—her colleagues, including Trudy and Lesley, were there to support her, proud of how far she’s come. ‘Everyone was so proud of me. I was the first person on the project to receive a job offer and my teachers and tutors kept saying how great of a job I did. I felt very proud of myself.’

Trudy said ‘Charlotte’s social skills have progressed a lot, as well as her confidence. We couldn’t be prouder of her and her development. The job offer is well deserved and we are excited for Charlotte to keep improving her skills with us.’

With the help of her job coach, Carl, who checks in on her regularly, and her manager Trudy, Charlotte is already thinking about the future. She’s considering different roles within Eckington Court Nursing Home, like becoming an activities coordinator or joining the care team. ‘I really enjoy working here and I love the team and all our people,’ she explains, ‘and there’s lots of good in-house training opportunities available to help me grow.’

We spoke with Trudy about her experience with Project Search, and she enthusiastically recommended the programme. "It was a great experience," she shared. ‘I would absolutely recommend working with Project Search. We're expecting another placement student from Landmarks College at the end of the year.’

Charlotte, who also advocates for Project Search, echoed these sentiments. She praised the programme for the support it provided, which played a crucial role in helping her start her career. ‘The staff were amazing and really supportive," she said. ‘I’d recommend it to anyone looking to begin their work journey.’

Charlotte's path has been one of growth and self-discovery, demonstrating that with the right opportunities and support, she can excel in a job she loves. Her story highlights the impact programs like Project Search can have in helping people with learning disabilities find meaningful work and build confidence. Charlotte's achievements serve as a powerful reminder that everyone deserves the chance to succeed, and she represents what can be accomplished when that chance is given.

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