How to find work for young people with SEND, and how volunteering can help you develop your skills.
The benefits of having a job
Having a job allows you to:
- earn money
- be independent
- feel valued
- find fulfilment
- make friends
Mencap have made a video about the benefits of having a job, what having a job means to me Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaEOoKIXQsQ (opens new window).
Finding work
You can get help to find work:
- at your nearest Jobcentre Go to https://find-your-nearest-jobcentre.dwp.gov.uk/ (opens new window)
- on The National Careers service website Go to https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ (opens new window)
- with the Post 16 team, if you're under 18 and have left education, they can help with referral to services that can support you to work towards employment opportunities, email Post16Participation@bristol.gov.uk Go to mailto:Post16Participation@bristol.gov.uk (opens new window)
- Sixteen Coop runs Employment Support Services to help you find paid employment, If you're over 18 and have a learning disability, email Sheren@sixteencoop.co.uk Go to mailto:Sheren@sixteencoop.co.uk (opens new window)
- in Mencap's easy read guides for finding work Go to https://www.mencap.org.uk/advice-and-support/employment/finding-job/finding-work-easy-read-guides (opens new window)
- at Mencap's employment services Go to https://www.mencap.org.uk/advice-and-support/employment-services (opens new window) which support people with a learning disability to develop the skills and confidence they need to get a job
- at Step and Stone who work with young people with learning disabilities to develop their skills and confidence, so they can find employment
- on the Spear Programme Bristol programme, which helps young people facing barriers getting into work or education
Volunteer to develop your skills
Volunteering can help you learn the skills you need to find paid work. You don't get paid to volunteer and it shouldn't affect your benefits. Scope have explained how volunteering could affect your benefits Go to https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/volunteering-develop-your-skills#Volunteering-and-your-benefits-click (opens new window).
Volunteering is a great way to:
- get a reference for paid work
- make friends
- learn new skills for work
- do something positive for your community
Find volunteering opportunities in Bristol
You can find volunteering opportunities :
- on the Can Do Bristol Go to https://candobristol.co.uk/ (opens new window) website, help your local community
- at WECIL Go to https://www.wecil.co.uk/ (opens new window), volunteer in your community
- on the Voscur website Go to https://www.voscur.org/ (opens new window), find volunteer work in Bristol
