Q1: Before joining The Living Link, how did you feel about your future? What were some of your hopes, worries, or expectations?
Before joining The Living Link I felt unsure/nervous/excited about my future. I hoped to get a job but worried I wasn’t capable enough. I expected it would be hard to find people who understood me.
Q2: Looking back, what has been the most important thing you have learnt about yourself during your time at The Living Link?
The most important thing I’ve learned about myself is that I’m stronger and more capable than I thought. Before The Living Link, I used to doubt myself and give up quickly when things felt hard. But here, I learned that I can keep trying, ask for help when I need it, and still succeed. I found out I’m a hard worker and I don quit easily. That one change made the biggest difference for me.
Q3: Message to employers, about young adults with disabilities/learning differences
If I could tell employers one thing, it would be this. Give us a chance. We learn differently, not less. We might need a little more time or a different way of teaching at first, but once we understand, we work hard and we stay loyal. We notice small details, we care about doing a job, and we bring fresh perspective. Don’t see our disability first. See our potential. We just need someone to believe in us and show us how.
Q4: Tell us about your job sampling experience. What has it been like to be part of a real workplace?
Being part of a real workplace for job sampling was both exciting and a bit scary at first. When I started, everything felt new – the uniforms, the rules, the schedule. But my colleagues and supervisor made me feel welcome from day one.
It felt good to wake up and have somewhere to go every morning. I learned what it means to be on time, to work as a team, and to take responsibility for my tasks. The best part was feeling like I was actually helping and not just practicing. When a customer said “thank you” or my supervisor said “well done”, I felt proud.
Q5: What are your dreams for the future, and how has The Living Link helped you move towards them?
My dream for the future is to work in an office and to do administration and be independent. I want to work somewhere where I feel useful, earn my own money, and be able to help my family.
Before The Living Link, that dream felt far away and a bit scary. But now it feels possible. The Living Link helped me by teaching me job skills, how to talk to people at work, and how to believe in myself. Job sampling showed me what real work is like and proved I can do it.
Because of this program, I now know what kind of job I want and I have the confidence to go for it. The Living Link gave me the training, the practice, and the support to start moving towards my dream.
Q6: What does belonging mean to you, and where have you experienced a sense of belonging during your time at The Living Link?
To me, belonging means feeling safe, accepted, and like I’m part of something. It means people know my name, listen to me, and I don’t have to pretend to be someone else.
I felt that sense of belonging at The Living Link. From the first day, the teachers and other students made me feel welcome. During job sampling and group activities, I wasn’t treated differently. I was just part of the team. When I made a mistake, people helped me instead of judging me.
That made me feel like I belong. Like I have a place, and people believe I can succeed there.
Q7: What have you learnt from your colleagues, supervisors, or the people around you at your placement?
I’ve learnt a lot from the people at my placement.
From my supervisor, I learnt how to listen carefully, ask questions when I don’t understand, and take responsibility for my work. They taught me that it’s okay to make mistakes as long as I learn from them.
From my colleagues, I learnt teamwork and respect. I learnt how to help others, how to work together to finish a task, and how to talk to people politely even when we disagree.
Most importantly, I learnt that I can be trusted at work. The people around me believed I could do the job, and that belief made me believe in myself too.
Q8: What does independence mean to you, and has your understanding of it changed during your time here?
To me, independence means being able to do things for myself and make my own choices. It means I don’t always have to depend on other people for every little thing.
Before The Living Link, I thought independence meant doing everything alone. But now my understanding has changed. I’ve learnt that being independent also means knowing when to ask for help, managing your time, and taking responsibility for your actions.
The Living Link taught me real independence. Through job sampling, money skills, and daily tasks, I learnt how to look after myself and make decisions at work. I now know independence isn’t about being alone it’s about being capable.
Q9: What has surprised you most about being part of The Living Link?
What surprised me most about The Living Link is how much I’m actually capable of.
Before I started, I thought some jobs and skills were “too hard” for me. I didn’t think people would trust me with real work. But here I was surprised to learn that I can learn quickly, I can work in a team, and people do believe in me.
I was also surprised by how kind everyone is. The teachers, supervisors, and other students didn’t just teach me they encouraged me. I didn’t expect to feel so supported and respected.
The Living Link surprised me by showing me a version of myself I didn’t know existed.
Q10: Have there been any challenges along the way? What helped you keep going?
Yes, there have been challenges. At first I found it hard to wake up early for training, and I was nervous about job sampling because I didn’t want to make mistakes in front of new people. Sometimes the work felt confusing, and I doubted if I could do it.
What helped me keep going was the support around me. My supervisor/job coach was patient and explained things until I understood. The teachers at The Living Link encouraged me and reminded me that mistakes are part of learning. My classmates also helped we pushed each other to not give up.
Most of all, I kept going because I remembered my dream. I want to be independent. Every small skill I learnt proved I’m getting closer. So even when it was hard, I told myself “one more day, one more try”.
