Eurospar Store Manager, Geoff Moore pictured with new employee Conor McKenna who has been supported by Stepping Stones NI to secure paid employment.

Award winning charitable organisation, Stepping Stones NI, celebrates 20 years of employment and training success for people with learning difficulties.

Applications for support are now open in the East Down area.  The charity supports people with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and learning difficulties to gain new skills and secure paid work. 

Twenty six year old Conor McKenna has secured part-time employment with the new Eurospar store in Dromore.  Conor who has Autism has benefited from the support of Stepping Stones NI to gain confidence and training that helped him secure the post. 

Samantha McKinstry from Stepping Stones NI supported Conor to apply for the position and worked with Eurospar to make reasonable adjustments at interview.  Sam comments “We knew that with the right support Conor could go on to secure paid work. We supported Conor with confidence building and helped him to identify his skills and talents to apply for the job. He has overcome so many fears and beliefs and amazingly the life changing event of having Cancer to get to where he is today.  We are so proud of his achievements”.

Conor says “I have struggled to secure employment for some time now and I am so thankful to my Employment Officer, Samantha McKinstry, at Stepping Stones NI who supported me to find and secure a job I am really happy in.  My employer is really supportive of my needs which really makes a big difference to my confidence.  I would encourage anyone with a learning difficulty to contact the Stepping Stones NI team, I couldn’t have done this without them”.

Eurospar Store Manager, Geoff Moore, comments “Conor really impressed us at interview and we see the benefit of the support from Stepping Stones NI.  We look past the disability and see the potential in Conor and he is already showing great potential and drive” We would strongly encourage other employers to engage”.

People with learning difficulties, Autism, ADHD and Dyslexia can speak confidentially with the Stepping Stones NI team by calling 028 92 666 404 or emailing support@stepping-stones.org.uk to find out about support options tailored to their needs. 

Specialist support is provided suited to individual needs.  The charity operate a youth service, training division and employment support service as well as a range of social enterprises which clients can train in. More details can be found at www.steppingstonesni.com

The service is part funded though the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014 – 2020 and the Department for the Economy.