When participants at Me Time Nottingham are asked what they would like to achieve in the future, getting a job is a very popular response. Unfortunately, with very few supported employment schemes in the area, this has been a dream which for many has felt difficult to achieve.  

A recent partnership between Me Time Nottingham and a nearby Mencap shop has changed all this, creating a successful work placement scheme which is helping to provide people gain new experience and provide valuable skills for the workplace.

Four people – Daran, Davisha, Umair and Oliver - have completed the first trial run of the voluntary work placement, attending the Clifton charity shop every Thursday for 10 weeks, sorting donations, labelling for gift aid, tagging, pricing and displaying items for sale. They have also had training on the till to serve customers.

Charity shop volunteer Aaron, store manager Stacey and Me Time volunteers Davisha, Oliver, Daran and Umair

A group of people in a charity shop

The group were supported each week by a member of Me Time staff, who also delivered training to prepare the group on topics including GDPR and gave a full volunteer induction . The group would be supported to travel on the local bus to the charity shop and complete the tasks they were given on each occasion.  

Me Time facilitator Sophie who supported the group said:

“It was great seeing all of them progress and develop their skills as the weeks went on – they all learnt so much. It was particularly interesting watching them learn to work effectively as a team. The connections we made with the staff and other volunteers at the shop were really valuable and I feel that we will continue to support each other after out placement has finished, for example at future open days and fundraising events.”

Store Manager Stacey Evans said:

“Having Me Time Nottingham volunteer at our Clifton store has been incredible. The group has done exceptionally well, they have helped us so much over the 10 weeks and to see them grow in confidence and gain new skills over that time has been amazing to see. We can't wait for the next group to start with us and hopefully many more groups to follow.” 

 

Davisha's story

Davisha has attended Me Time Nottingham for a little over a year. She was immediately recognised as a talented and capable beautician when she joined our beauty group, with skills in painting nails, braiding hair and a keen interest in fashion.

Davisha was keen to utilise her passion for beauty and fashion and was particularly interested in styling mannequins and creating window displays in the shop.

Davisha dressing one of the shop mannequins

A woman smiles as she fits a dress onto a shop mannequin

"I love to do make-up, plait hair, and do nails," says Davisha. "I want to be a fashion designer and make up artist. I would like to help with selling the different types of design outfits. I will love to work at the charity shop to help people and ask if I can help."

During the 10 weeks of placement, Davisha regularly chose outfits for the displays and enjoyed helping to tag the clothes for sale. She also carefully selected jewellery and accessories to style the mannequins and create pleasing visual displays. 

"I’m enjoying dressing the mannequins with different designed outfits" she said during her placement. "I have learned to use the cashier till and met new people, they were very nice. My skills are putting the tags on different jewellery and putting the prices on them. 

"What I want to do in my future is get more certificates to help me get a job in the future."