How I got a job as a Lobby Ambassador

Meet Xavie

Xavie, 23, has Sotos syndrome and ASD (autism). He works at a Hilton hotel in Kensington as a Lobby Ambassador We recently caught up with him to find out how he got his job.

How did you get your Lobby Ambassador job at a Hilton hotel?

My mum helped me to find the Mencap programme. I really wanted to join the programme because I wanted Mencap to help me find a job and get some work experience . I started in the classroom learning Maths and English, then I did budgeting and learning recipes.

Mencap teachers helped me make a CV and to get work experience in a hotel. I loved it. Then I got a paid job.

My Mencap skills coach Chloe helped me learn my role and helped me travel to the Hilton by myself. She stayed with me all the time on my first shifts, but now I don’t need her help anymore.

She helped me learn how to travel to the hotel on the train as I didn’t know how to do this. Now I get two trains into work by myself. She also helped me learn how to greet customers.

She made me some cue cards to help me learn what to say to guests. I don’t need those anymore, but I've got other ones still to help me remember the codes for the different doors at the hotel. There are four codes that I have to remember to get into different rooms like the locker room.

After I got the job at Hilton, Chloe still used to come along about once a week to see how I was getting on, but now she doesn’t come into the hotel because I can do the job independently. I love being independent, I really, really love it.

What would you say to anyone with a learning disability who’s thinking of getting a job?

You should join the supported internship because it will help you to find a job and get work experience. It will also help you to make new friends. I have made lots of friends on the programme. I see them sometimes outside of Mencap as well, because some of them do the same clubs as me which is great. I have got so much out of my time with Mencap.

What do you do in your role?

When I arrive, I have to remember to check in. Then I get my breakfast in the canteen before getting changed.

The Hilton hotel is a very nice place. I have a uniform that I have to wear as well. I come in in my casual clothes and then I go into the locker room where I have my own locker and I change into my white shirt, my blue trousers, my tie, and my blue waistcoat. It's a very fancy hotel.

In my job, as well as greeting the customers, I have to look out for rubbish and help to keep the lobby clean. I’m taking on more and more tasks now like posting guests’ mail and putting water and ice in the bucket for the water cooler. I can do this all by myself.

People leave a lot of coffee in the mornings, and I clear those up and put them in the bin.

I get to go outside the lobby as well and give people tours of the hotel. I like meeting guests and speaking to them.  I'm nice, I'm polite, I’m respectful and I make everyone's day.

A guest once said to me, “I just want you to know you put a smile on my face all day.” That made me feel like I was doing a good job.

What do you like most about your job?

Having a job makes me feel very happy and very proud. I like my job because I'm part of their family.

I recently got a certificate because I have been working at the Hilton as a lobby ambassador for one year. That made me feel very proud.

My favourite part of the day is standing outside and waving to the Hilton.

Do you get on with your colleagues?

I certainly do. When I first started at Hilton, they told me that I’m part of the Hilton family. “Welcome to the Hilton family” they said. They're very supportive and I really like working with them.

Do you get support at work?

When I first started Chloe from Mencap helped me, but I don’t need her now. My colleague Anthony helps me. He’s good at getting the cushions right and shows me how to change the water.

Do you think you have changed since starting work?

I like being Independent now.

I've learnt lots of skills at Hilton, like how to talk to different people. I've learned timekeeping skills because now I know what time my breaks and lunches are, and I know what times I need to go and look around the lobby for rubbish.