Tring woman with cerebral palsy lands dream job with support from housing association – Tring Today

Mimi, left, outside her new work

Published: 17:27 Monday 02 December 2019

A woman with cerebral palsy has landed her dream job as a teaching assistant, thanks to support from her housing association.

Mimi, who is also a wheelchair user, lives at one of Hightowns supported housing schemes in Tring for people with physical and learning disabilities, as well as mental health issues.

Having only ever lived with her family, she decided to move to the scheme to gain more independence.

Each resident has a personalised support plan to help reach their full potential, build confidence and make decisions regarding their life.

During her time looking for volunteering opportunities, Mimi found some buildings had limited accessibility for wheelchair users and she was in some cases unable to progress past an initial meeting.

However, Heirs and Graces Nursery is fully accessible after they renovated their entrance, including an access ramp and hand rails.

Instead of offering Mimi a volunteer role, the nursery staff were so impressed they offered her a paid position working two days a week.

Mimi said: The staff are friendly and chatty and always on hand to help if needed.

"They supported me in my search for a volunteering role by asking local nurseries and schools and getting contacts for me to meet with.

"To be offered a paid job out of it was a lovely surprise.

Mimi now makes trips into the town centre independently, which she did not do when she first moved into the scheme.

She also volunteers with The Inclusion Project, which runs activities to promote a healthy, social and active lifestyle for adults with learning disabilities.

The aim is for people with learning disabilities to be immersed into the local community.

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Tring woman with cerebral palsy lands dream job with support from housing association - Tring Today