Support to Succeed | Case Study

Katie is in her 30s and lives in Reddish. She has some learning disabilities and was referred to the Support to Succeed programme delivered by our employment team in August 2025 by the Department for Work and Pensions.

At the time of her referral Katie was navigating a very difficult period, and she felt poorly supported by her training provider. This experience left her feeling low and unsure about her next steps. She wanted to rebuild her confidence and begin thinking about employment again but did not feel able to do this on her own.

Starting Point

Katie was already volunteering at The Salvation Army charity shop. However, due to low confidence and a lack of self-belief, she chose to stay in the back, avoiding customer-facing responsibilities.

In August, she began attending a range of wellbeing sessions in Stockport with our team. Through regular participation, she quickly began to come out of her shell. The supportive and welcoming environment helped her feel safe enough to contribute, socialise and build connections.

Stepping Into a New Role

Recognising Katie’s growing confidence, Vanessa, her wellbeing coach, encouraged her to consider leading the meet and greet for the weekly sewing workshop. This would be Katie’s first front of house responsibility.

Although initially a big step, Katie embraced the opportunity. In the familiar and supportive setting of the workshop, she flourished. She discovered that engaging with people and making them feel welcome was very much within her capabilities.

Vanessa affectionately described her as “Little Miss Sunshine” whenever she took on the role, highlighting her beaming smile and warm, welcoming attitude towards participants.

Reflection and Progress

Over the following months, Katie’s development was clear to everyone around her. Vanessa, Katie herself and her parents reflected on how far she had come in a relatively short space of time.

With her confidence significantly strengthened, Katie is now working front of house at The Salvation Army charity shop. She is also beginning to consider moving into paid employment, something that once felt out of reach.

Outcome

Katie’s journey demonstrates how the right encouragement, opportunities and supportive environment can unlock potential. From staying in the background to confidently welcoming others, she has taken meaningful steps towards greater independence and future employment.

*name changed to protect identity