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Hannah Dennehy
Psychology with English degree 2001-2004.
Worked for Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID)
Part time work gained through the Job Shop with the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) as Relief Support Worker enabled Hannah to get a full time job with them after she graduates.
Hannah came to study at BSU with care worker experience having worked for 2 years full time as a support worker in an NHS service for adults with learning and physical disabilities - she qualified in NVQ Care level 2. Whilst working she achieved the British Sign Language stage 1 certificate (on her own impetus at night school).
In her second year at BSU Hannah came to the Job Shop after seeing an advertisement for care work which mentioned BSL as a useful qualification which the organisation were seeking. In April 2003 following an interview with the RNID recruitment team Hannah was offered the position of Relief Support Worker. The RNID run a variety of services within Bath, running a large residential service as well as smaller community based living services for the more able clients. As Hannah already had the BSL stage 1 she was ideally suited to work with the residents who live in the smaller based community living homes (some who have learning difficulties as well as hearing problems). During term time Hannah worked on average of one 7.5hrs shift per week and every other weekend, with flexibility to work less to fit in with her studies.
She has really enjoyed the work as it has been so varied. She has helped promote independence and helped with self-medication, financial awareness and menu planning for the residents and enabled them to get the most out of life. She felt that the work was extremely rewarding as she has seen the residents develop life skills, which she has worked with them to achieve.
Hannah worked full time for the RNID during the summer of 2003, which helped to ease financial pressure, and meant that she became a key member of the team. Throughout her time with the organisation as a temporary worker she was included in all relevant training which other members of the team took part in, e.g. First aid training/food handling.
Upon graduation Hannah was offered a full time job with the RNID as a Care worker/Key worker. Hannah has accepted this offer as she finds the work immensely satisfying and she knows that she will be supported in developing her skills further by the organisation which will complement her degree for any future opportunities. She aims to achieve BSL level 2 and NVQ Care level 3.
Hannah summed up her experience as follows; "Through the Job Shop at BSU finding part time work with the RNID as Relief Support Worker has helped me to utilise my existing skills to secure a full time job which is leading me in the right direction for the future. I have found the RNID really supportive of its staff; they have invested in me by providing training together with helping me to maintain a perfect balance between study and paid work."