DCG Success Stories

Jobseeker Charlotte Willis was looking for the type of employment that would allow her to give something back to her community. 

So, when she was told about the East Midlands Combined County Authority-funded Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) by her local Jobcentre, she decided to try the Level 1 adult social care workshop at Derby College Group. 

Through completing that course, she got a job interview and has since secured work at House 169, supporting adults aged 18–26 with learning disabilities, autism, and other complex healthcare needs and behaviours. 

Charlotte, 24, first came to Derby from Milton Keynes with her boyfriend, who is studying at Derby University. 

She said: “Derby College was lovely – so welcoming throughout – and our teacher, Julie, was amazing. She tailored her teaching so it wasn’t ‘classroom-y.’

“She is passionate about her topics and knows a lot. She got us talking and debating and she shared with us some of her own experiences, many of which we could relate to ourselves. 

“I typically don’t do well sitting behind a desk for long, reading information and writing things down, but Julie’s class wasn’t like that. It was more relaxed.” 

Charlotte enjoyed studying ethics, philosophy and sociology at school but hadn’t had the opportunity to experience them in a work situation before. 

She added: “I’ll be starting my job once all the paperwork is sorted out. It will be good to be in a role where I can do something I love while giving back to my community. As an empathetic person, I like to look after those around me.”