Paul Celebrates 20 Years at Work, Showing What People with Learning Difficulties Can Achieve

Paul is celebrating 20 years in the same job and it’s a milestone worth marking.

After finishing college, Paul made a clear decision about his future.

He wanted to work. Not to be ‘placed’ somewhere, or to fill time, but to earn his own money, be part of a team and build a working life on his own terms.

Two decades on, that choice has become his career.

Now 44, Paul, who is supported by Hft, is a long-standing, valued member of the Cookridge Hall Golf Club team in Leeds.

Over the years, he’s become a familiar and friendly face to colleagues and guests, known for his reliability, pride in his work and positive attitude.

“I’ve made a good bunch of friends at work,” Paul said. “We have lots of chats and plenty of laughs. It’s important for me to do a good job and get the plates and pots sparkling. I take great pride in my work.”

Paul’s role includes washing up and clearing tables, responsibilities he knows inside out. During the Covid pandemic, he also took on additional cleaning duties, continuing to support the club when it mattered most.

His experience reflects something bigger than one role or one workplace. Employment isn’t just a job. It’s independence, confidence and inclusion.

“Work is important to me because it gives me independence,” Paul said. “I earn my own money and I get to choose how I spend it on things I enjoy.”

To mark his 20 years of service, colleagues presented Paul with a certificate, award and vouchers. He chose to spend them on theatre trips, including The Sound of Music and a Christmas pantomime.

Outside of work, Paul leads a full and active life. He belongs to two drama groups rehearsing weekly and performing every year for family and friends.

He spends Sundays watching his nephew play football, attends Hft’s Free 2 Be Club, goes dancing at Popworld and visits museums, galleries and local parks. Between shifts, he also enjoys using the club’s on-site swimming pool.

“Having a job makes me feel good,” Paul said. “The staff and customers say I’m always cheerful. I think I’m one of the longest-standing members of staff here and I’m going to keep working hard at Cookridge Hall.”

Paul’s support worker, Maria Kudrjavceva, said: “It has been inspiring to see the commitment and dedication Paul has shown over the years. He takes great pride in his role and being part of the team. His work gives him a strong sense of purpose, confidence and belonging, and reaching 20 years of service is a fantastic achievement.”

Research by Mencap shows that only about 29 per cent of working age learning disabled adults are in paid employment. Around 47 per cent of those currently not in work said they’d like a paid job.

For employers, stories like Paul’s show the real value of inclusive employment. Long-term commitment, loyalty, strong team culture and reliability are not abstract benefits, they’re proof of what learning disabled adults bring to the UK workforce.

During Learning Disability Week, Paul’s milestone is a reminder of what’s possible when barriers are removed and people are supported to work in ways that suit their strengths, abilities and skills.

His 20 years at Cookridge Hall are not just a celebration of service, but of choice, contribution and the power of inclusion done well.

To find out more about how Hft supports learning disabled adults to live the lives they choose, visit www.hft.org.uk