Council library provides Jason with a great opportunity

Jason has started his dream job placement in a library after successfully completing Vivo Care Choices’ Work and Voluntary Enterprise (WAVE) programme.

Vivo, now an in-house service at Cheshire West and Chester Council, provides a range of support for people with learning disabilities and autism, as well as older people.

Jason attends Vivo’s services at Canal Street and has been taking part in WAVE, a new 12-week programme that helps people with learning disabilities and autism learn new skills so they can get ready for volunteering or employment.

After completing the programme with his friends, book worm Jason has started a work placement at Great Boughton Library in Chester, carrying out a number of different tasks to help the team.

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed it.

“I’ve been stamping the books, sorting them ready to go on the shelves and helping with printing.

“I’ve been going there on Wednesdays and supporting my manager wherever I can.

“A reading challenge is coming up soon so I’ve been busy getting the books together ready for that.”

Paula, who has been leading a team of staff on the WAVE programme, added: “It’s amazing to see Jason starting a job he was made for.

“If you visit our services, you’ll often see Jason reading his favourite books and working in a library is something he’s always wanted to do.

“On the WAVE programme, we’ve been helping the people we support on their journey to volunteering or employment, covering things like communication, customer service, dressing appropriately for the workplace, teamwork and much more.

“The journey they’ve been on from the start to the finish of the programme has been wonderful as they’ve learned so much in that time.

“All of the people we support on our programme have secured volunteering or employment so it’s going to be fantastic to see how they continue to develop in the coming months.

“We’re looking forward to running more programmes for the people we support in the future as it’s been a real successful so far.”

Vivo is currently recruiting staff to work across its different services, including learning disability day services, respite and supported living.

Apply to join the team at Vivo

The Council’s libraries across west Cheshire provide a range of support for residents.

More about the support available from libraries 

Pictured - Jason helps sort out books during his placement.