John bids to dig Down Under!

It's fair to say that John Buck is an enthusiastic and industrious worker. Indeed, so eager is the 51-year-old toiler that if asked to dig a hole he might well endeavour to reach Australia!

That's the view of Anthony Hughes, who is John’s employment consultant at WorkAid, an award-winning scheme which aims to match adults with learning disabilities or autism with suitable work placements.

WorkAid is an arm of The Aldingbourne Trust, Chichester, near Fontwell, and the organisation has had reason to celebrate this week thanks to the progress that John -- who is just one of the people they support -- has made.

John works as a trolley attendant at Tesco but has worked in a number of different areas in the past. And describing John’s work ethic, Anthony said: “John is a great character. He is a very enthusiastic worker and would attempt to dig to Australia if you asked!”

John gained full-time employment at a local garden nursery after gaining experience at the Acorn horticultural unit. When the garden centre closed down, he looked for more employment and gained further experience through a range of other jobs.
 
John worked as a warehouse and office cleaner and as a grape picker at a local vineyard. John has now been happily working at his local Tesco Extra at Broadbridge Heath for three months and is considered a valuable member of the team.
 
He has at times been offered overtime and has now been offered a permanent contract. 

If you have employment opportunities at your business for people with learning disabilities and/or autism like John, please contact our WorkAid team on 01243 546035 or workaid@aldingbourne.org.

Or please visit www.aldingbournetrust.org/supported-employment, and to find out more about our award-winning charity that supports adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to live independent lives.

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