By Mencap
Meet Arjhay
Arjhay 22, has learning disabilities and is currently in a paid job as a Front of House Team Member at Chopstix noodle bar. We recently caught up with him to find out how he got his job.
What is a Front of House Team Member?
At Chopstix restaurants, a Front of House Team Member usually serves customers, helping them choose their food and pouring them drinks. Team Members also help prepare the food in the kitchen and make sure everything is clean and where it should be.
How did you get your job at Chopstix?
“Because I have a learning disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. , it wasn’t easy for me to get a paid job.
I have been supported by Mencap on its internship programme. The charity helped me with Maths and communication skills as well as travel training. Mencap arranged two work experiences for me, first at Boots and then at Chopstix.
Then, when I was offered my first paid job, I went to Mencap office’s so they could explain the contract to me before I signed it.
Someone came with me on my first journeys, so I wasn’t on my own. This helped me to build up my confidence until I could get the bus to work on my own. Which I do now.”
Why was it important to get work experience?
“The work experience helped to build my confidence and work skills. At first, I didn’t know who to trust until I got used to the environment. I learnt everything I needed to know about working in a restaurant.
At the end of my internship with Chopstix, I was invited to give a presentation to new Mencap interns. I went to the head office and stood up in the boardroom. I was very happy that I got to talk about what I had done at Chopstix and I could tell other people why they should join the Mencap Chopstix programme because of how it supported me.”
What would you say to anyone with a learning disability who’s thinking of getting a job?
To be yourself at work.
If you are struggling, please ask your manager
A manager is a boss at work. They tell you what you need to do and give you support if you need it. or your colleagues or someone around for support.
Keep hardworking.
Don’t be scared. Just try your best.
Do you think you have grown/changed since starting work?
“Yes, I have grown and changed since working at Chopstix. I am more confident and independent with communicating and working with my colleagues at work. I have started to trust my colleagues and working as part of a team. I have started to learn new thing every shift.”
Do you feel supported at work?
I definitely feel supported at work. I can ask questions when I need to. I can tell my colleagues if I am feeling nervous or not sure what to do.
What would you like your future career to be?
I would like my future career to continue in working at Chopstix and becoming a general manager one day. I need to carry on training and working hard if I want that to happen.
What would you say to employers about hiring someone with a learning disability?
“Having a learning disability can be a positive in a working because it does not define who you are, when a person has a learning disability. Having a learning disability can help people develop resilience, which can make people with learning disability determined to work hard every shift.
People with learning disabilities should have the same opportunities to work as everyone else."
Mencap's Job Squad are:
Help more people get into work
With your support more people with a learning disability can find jobs that give them confidence and
independence
Independence means doing things on your own. Making your own choices.
through the Mencap Training Academy (MTA) which offers
supported internships
A work placement for young people with additional needs, where they get support from a job coach.
and pre-internships to young people.
Thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund for their generous grant, funding this work.