Denis has gained part-time employment with Northcott's support

Until recently, Denis was a customer of Northcott’s Work & Study and Life Skills services at the Northcott Casula hub. When he started in 2018, Denis was unsure about what he wanted to do with his life. He also lacked confidence using public transport and found it difficult to complete domestic chores independently.

Fast forward to today

Denis has now gained part-time employment, formed a clearer idea about his career goals and started to become more independent in other aspects of his life.

I am more confident to talk to people, talking in a group, and sharing ideas. I have learnt how to work in a team and support them as a leader. I have found the confidence to do things independently – I take public transport to and from work by myself. But most of all, I have a better understanding of what I want to do, and have set short-term and long-term goals to work towards.

Denis

“With the COVID-19 lockdowns, it wasn’t an easy journey to get here, but we did eventually,” says Alexis, Work + Study Advisor.

“Denis has always been someone who was very personable but he is not good at asking for help. You could put him in a room with people and he could chat with everyone. However, he struggled when probed further.”

Alexis worked with Denis to build his confidence to ask for help as well as develop the skills that were required to gain employment.

How Denis built his skills

“We worked extensively on his writing, research, interviewing and presentation skills, along with teaching him how to cope with fear and failure, and how to learn from it,” says Alexis.

Simultaneously, as a participant of the Life Skills service, Denis learnt to catch public transport, complete domestic duties such as shopping, cooking, washing and drying dishes, vacuuming and doing laundry. He was also able develop his social skills.

“Over a period of time, Denis started getting proactive when it came to completing tasks. Moreover, he was always supportive and willing to help his peers too,” says Emma, Senior Support Worker for Life Skills.

The years of hard work showed off when Denis participated in Northcott’s Experience Tasker program, where he took on a leadership role. Denis kept his peers on task, and the whole team accountable and when he wasn’t sure what to do, he wasn’t shy to ask for help. When the program ended, Denis and his family knew he was ready for the next phase of his life.

“All this wouldn’t have been possible without Northcott and the team at Northcott Casula. Everyone is very respectful, kind and so encouraging,” says Denis.

Family reactions 

Denis’s mother Angela couldn’t be happier with Northcott.

“Before Northcott, Denis was shy and could only mingle with relatives. His disability put him so far behind. Ever since he started with Northcott, he has gained so much confidence. He talks to more people; he can catch public transport by himself; can cook; and has started contributing to domestic duties at home. I am extremely happy,” she says.

“As a mother, I am also so glad that Denis had the opportunity to attend workshops organised by Northcott that educated him about sexuality and relationships. We are all human beings and it is important for us to be aware of all our basic needs and know how to take responsibility.”

Denis stopped accessing Northcott services a month back after landing part-time employment in packaging. He now believes, thanks to Northcott, his future is full of possibilities. He would like to travel, learn new languages and act in movies.

His short-term goals include studying more, either in business administration or community services, as well as getting his driver’s license. Longer term, Denis hopes to find a full-time job.