Take the right ‘Route to Work’ – Just like Jordan

Jordan has been volunteering for Willow Wood Hospice as a Café assistant at the PAD (Purchase and Donate Centre) in Stalybridge since August 2022.

Come rain or shine, Jordan is there every Monday afternoon doing his bit to help customers in the café and baby section upstairs.

“I clean tables in the café and tidy baby shelves,” he explained. “I also check items to see if they have prices on and, if they don’t, I pass them to the cashier. I organise the toys too.

“I really enjoy coming to the PAD, it’s part of my routine now. I love working with the other volunteers and I would recommend volunteering for Willow Wood to anybody.”

Jordan, who is 25 years old, had been struggling for confidence before the Job Centre recommended Tameside Council’s Routes to Work service around two years ago, and since then his life has changed for the better.

In January 2022, Jordan started volunteering as a retail assistant in Age UK’s Stalybridge shop and he became familiar with the world of work.

But then Abigail Downing, Jordan’s Employment Support Worker from Routes to Work, wanted him to step out of his comfort zone and into a new environment to aid his development.

Abigail has a good working relationship with Lisa Pye, our Volunteer Services Manager at the Hospice, and through getting to know Jordan and his employment goals, they explored volunteering at the PAD.

Jordan was unsure about it at first but he has absolutely loved every minute of it and works well independently.

The café at the PAD on Shepley Street closed for a period as it reduced in size to accommodate the opening of the baby section, but Jordan has adapted very well to the changes.

Since working at the PAD, Jordan has been supported to develop his independent travel skills on multiple journeys from home to Stalybridge and Ashton-under-Lyne.

Jordan, who has ADHD and learning difficulties, is a shining example of how combining hard work and determination can help you reach your goals.

Jordan is now looking for paid work and will begin to meet local employers.

Abigail, Jordan’s Employment Support Worker from Routes to Work, said: “Jordan has accomplished so much in the time he has been with Routes to Work.

“He has gained so many employability skills and is a pleasure to support. I am so proud to see what he has achieved and I know he will continue to succeed in every role he does.”

Vivien Frattaroli, Jordan’s manager at Willow Wood Hospice, commented: “Jordan is doing really well and is good with customers. Jordan enjoys interacting with customers and they enjoy him helping them in the store. He is very willing and helpful. He’s so enthusiastic and strives to get all tasks done to a high standard.”

If you would like to find out more about volunteering at the hospice, click here or if you wish to help out in our shops, learn more here.

You can get in touch with Routes to Work by calling 0161 342 5200 or emailing routestowork@tameside.gov.uk for employment support or to recruit local people.