Step up case study - Disability (DARE) – Mentored support helping turn interest into employability

The participant enrolled on Step Up in July 2025 after being referred by the Special Educational Needs Department in South West College. The participant had heard that Step Up offered tasters in different areas and they were very keen to sample some different areas of study. Her biggest area of interest was in catering and she joined the catering taster with great enthusiasm. With support from both the catering tutor and PSO, the participant has grown in confidence each week. She now has responsibility for preparing and baking sausage rolls from scratch in the college production kitchen, before going on to serve the food at the coffee dock every Monday morning. She has  been perfecting her baking skills as well as learning very important team work and communication skills, ensuring that the service in the coffee dock runs smoothly. The participant is also involved in a Customer Service class to further enhance her knowledge, skills and experience in this area. She has grown in confidence so much that she has applied for a part-time job in a local supermarket hoping to start work soon.

The participant has also sampled an art class, used a sewing machine for the first time and has taken part in a Graphic Design class. All while undertaking her Essential Skills Literacy, Numeracy and ICT. She is on track to achieve Entry Level 3 Numeracy and Literacy by the end of the year.

The Participant has grown in confidence with the support of her mentor over the last few months. Without the support of a dedicated team member it would have been difficult for her to find her way around college and have the courage to try new classes. She has grown from strength to strength and still feels that catering and food service is her preferred career pathway.