After facing countless rejections, Leigh, who is vision impaired, struggled to regain her confidence and find employment.
Leigh said of her journey, “I was struggling. I was lacking in confidence and I just wanted to get back out and work. After I went to so many interviews I thought noone’s going to employ me, noone’s going to accept me.”
Her employment consultant at BUSY Ability, Paul Galetti, never gave up even when Leigh thought he may.
“I remember one day Leigh came into the office and asked me if I was going to give up on her. I said absolutely not! Shortly after that, the opportunity with Beacon Laundry came along!”
Described on their website as ‘we’re less about profit, and more about people, purpose and the planet’, Beacon Laundry provides a premium laundry service through their two locations in Bangalow NSW and Adelaide SA. They hire disadvantaged job seekers including First Nation’s people, refugees, ex-offenders and people living with disability. A jobs-focused social enterprise, profits are re-invested back into the business to help fund the supports their employees need to thrive.
Through the support of BUSY Ability, Leigh has been employed at Beacon Laundry since January this year and has really found her place in the friendly working environment. Now known as the ‘Pillow Press Queen’ and an all-around laundry legend, Leigh’s enthusiasm and confidence has soared.
As Leigh says, “It’s a job that I really enjoy. Coming here I’m not lonely, I can get myself into work and forget about my problems. We’re a team here and I have made friends that I’ll have for life.”
Her employer at Beacon, Harriet Pederson, says “Leigh was always a really enthusiastic employee when joining the team but seeing her confidence skyrocket has been really special.”
BUSY Ability is a Disability Employment Services provider, supporting people with disability into meaingful employment. Leigh is just one of seven people that BUSY Ability has supported into work with Beacon at their Bangalow facility.
Harriet believes that partnering with organisations like BUSY Ability is a strategic win when it comes to sourcing staff at Beacon.
“It’s vital for Beacon to find people in the community who have otherwise been overlooked. Without places like BUSY Ability, we wouldn’t be able to meet people like Leigh and create opportunities to work together. We’re really grateful to form such a strong community partnership with BUSY Ability.”
Watch more of Leigh’s story with Beacon Laundry.
If you live with disability and are struggling to find work or are an employer looking for staff, contact BUSY Ability on 1800 761 561 or email info@busyability.org.au
The BUSY Group acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to the land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and their Elders past and present.
