In 2015 Paul Doherty was referred to the Cedar Foundation (Cedar) and became a participant on the Inclusion Works programme. Inclusion Works supports adults with disabilities who are keen to build employability skills and experience to be work ready.

 

During this time, Paul began studying at the North Western Regional College (NWRC) Access Diploma in Combined Studies and simultaneously commenced volunteering with Cedar’s Youth Matters Service, supporting young people with disabilities to get involved in local activities to build his work skills.

 

Paul said: “This all provided me with the confidence to take up paid employment with a children’s creche supporting young children with profound learning difficulties and disabilities.”

 

Following on from his dedication to supporting others on their journey to overcoming disability barriers, he successfully secured the paid post of Western Area User Forum Facilitator in Cedar that he way able to manage alongside his studies at NWRC.  As Paul progressed with his own employment and training programme he still managed to find time to volunteer in Inclusion Works and take up a paid Bank Support Worker post in Youth Matters during the busy Summer Scheme period.

 

Having finished his time with Cedar Paul is embarking on the next stage of his exciting journey to attend university in England to study Psychology. Everyone at Cedar would like to wish Paul all the best and look forward to hearing about university life!

 

Paul stated: “I have gained extreme levels of confidence and my self-esteem has reached heights I never thought it would, such as going on to university studying psychology and sociology in England miles away from home.”

 

Inclusion Works is funded by the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy.  Funding is also provided by the Department for Communities and all five local HSCTs in Northern Ireland.

 

If you require any additional information about how to get involved with the service, please contact [email protected] or 028 9061 2424 or 028 2565 9111.