Living with anxiety and ADHD, Paul had been unemployed for a long time and had no relevant past work references which made it even harder for him to secure work. Moving from Coffs Harbour to the Gold Coast in the hope of finding a better life and work, Paul approached BUSY Ability after feeling he wasn’t receiving the support he needed from his previous provider.
At the time he started with BUSY Ability, his frustrations were evident and it took a long phone call from Julie, an employment consultant with BUSY Ability, to regain his belief that finding work was possible.
“Julie really took the time and listened to how I was feeling and where I wanted to be. She said she was determined to find me work and I believed her!” Paul stated.
Not long after that conversation, Julie approached Surfers Paradise Hilton to see if they had work that would fit Paul’s set of skills. Being quite handy with tools and general maintenance, she asked if they had any positions that would suit Paul. Sure enough, there was an opening for a general maintenance position which Paul was put forward for – and he got the job!
On his first day, Paul texted Julie at BUSY Ability to say, “You delivered a quality position that may very well change my life. Thank you, I’m forever grateful. I had the best first day today. I’m so freaking happy. There was nothing I was presented with today that I couldn’t do. It was a great day, thank you very much”.
Chief Executive Officer of BUSY Ability, Stacey Turnbull said, “It is all too easy for people living with disability and particularly those who have been unemployed for a long time, to fall further into a rut, it becomes a vicious cycle. It is really wonderful to see the support that Paul received from Julie and BUSY Ability has truly changed his life in a profound way. We will continue to support him to ensure he remains in work and has everything he needs to excel in the role”.
Paul is now working in hotel maintenance with Hilton Surfers Paradise. (Image is stock image only).
For more information on how BUSY Ability can assist people with an injury, health issue or disability into work visit www.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.
