Case Studies

Becky

A Candidate's Journey

Becky - Sands Catering

After four internships and years of trying, Becky has found a bakery team where she finally belongs.

Becky is 29, hard-working and motivated, with a calm quietness about her. She’s courageous, too — always ready to try something new. She has Down syndrome, learning disabilities, a hearing impairment, and limited verbal ability. None of it has ever gotten in her way.

By the time she came to EmployAble, Becky had already completed four supported internships — three in London hospitals and one at a cafe, each one a full year of work. One of them turned into something more: a year-long volunteer placement, three days a week, back at the hospital where she’d trained.
Still, none of it ever became a paid job. Year after year, Becky did everything asked of her — internship after internship, then volunteering on top of that — and each time, the door to a wage stayed shut.

With EmployAble’s support, Becky started at Sands Catering in October 2025. It didn’t take long for her to become a well-liked, valued member of their bakery team. Her job coach, Tathiane, provided expert guidance, and Bakery Chef Hugo and his team backed her every step of the way. Becky has flourished there — learning new skills and growing more confident with every shift.

Several months in, that momentum hasn’t slowed. Becky has increased her repertoire of tasks, the speed with which she does them and the variety of words she is using to communicate. After years of placements that led nowhere, Becky finally has a job that’s hers.

“Having tried for many, many months to find steady, suitable employment for our adult daughter, who has Down syndrome, and having been through many ‘trial periods’ — some lasting 12 months — only to be left with nothing at the end, EmployAble found, arranged with a job coach, and supported a paid position for our daughter within a matter of months. What was most impressive was that the employer had not previously employed someone with our daughter’s disability. EmployAble allayed their concerns, and they are now firmly convinced that they have made the right decision. Most importantly, our daughter loves the job, loves the regularity, and loves the people. It is a real credit to EmployAble that they have managed this, with good cheer and real understanding throughout.”
Francesca Coppel, Becky’s Mum

For a family who had watched internship after internship end in nothing, that’s not a small thing. It’s everything.

Maria Santos

Operations Manager - Sands Catering

“Rebecca is brilliant at what she does. I see an improvement just about every single day. And her smile is well just amazing. We love having Rebecca on our team.”

Becky

“I love working at Sands. It makes me feel very happy.”

Explore more case studies

Akin

DHL Avanti

Jack

The Grove

Josh

Fladgate

Kelvin

DHL Avanti

Ollie