A Day In The Life Of Worktaste Coach

Becky Norbury

What does a WorkTaste Coach do?

I support our tenants to experience work in a sector that interests them. The step into conventional employment would probably be too great, but WorkTaste offers a pathway made up of smaller steps offering our tenants the chance to work with other people whilst learning and developing new skills. My job involves giving one to one support at the work placement, observing and assessing and helping  the tenant gain aptitude and confidence.  

What do you enjoy most about working at The Rossendale Trust?

I enjoy working with a positive, friendly and supportive group of people who all clearly care for, and want the best outcomes, for our tenants. I love the variety of my role, working with different people with varied skills, abilities and personalities. Every day is fun and rewarding.

What does a typical day look like for you?

There isn’t really a typical day but an example of one day could be:

• 9.00 am: Collect the tenant and help them to check they have everything they need for the day.
• 9:30 am: Arrive at the work placement. If this is a café for example, we would greet the staff we are working with and discuss the tasks that need to be carried out.
• 9:30-12.00 am: Give one to one support, observe and assess the person attending the placement.
• 12:15 pm: Go to a supermarket to choose and buy lunch which not only promotes independence but gives us a chance to talk about the importance of road and car park safety.
• 12:30 pm: Go to Artspace where we can produce and enjoy arts and crafts with other tenants.
• 4.00-4:30 pm: Leave to return the tenant to their home.

What excites you the most about the work?

I think it is when you see how your input makes a positive change, even if it is only subtle or small. It is so rewarding when you see a tenant gaining confidence when they achieve a skill that you have helped to support them with. I also love developing therapeutic relationships with the tenants who are involved in WorkTaste, something which the continuity of this job allows.

Have you learned anything new since you started?

Lots! I have learnt how to think differently to support the people involved in WorkTaste. This might be analysing skills, breaking them down and adapting them and then working out how best to “teach” those skills. This can be a continual process where some ideas or processes need to be revisited and adapted or even taught again in another way.

What would you say to someone who’s interested in applying to be a WorkTaste Coach?

I would encourage them to give it a go! We have a real mixture of people in our team who bring with them a variety of different work/life experiences, but everyone is supported to use those transferable skills. The team is really friendly and encouraging and the role is so rewarding and varied, each day is fun and challenging in its own way.

What piece of advice would you give someone who has just started at Rossendale Trust?

 Don’t be afraid to ask for support or advice. It really is a fantastic team who want the best for the tenants and staff and who work hard to maintain a positive and happy environment.

What are you most proud of in your job?

Having the opportunity to build trusting and positive relationships with the people I support, seeing them develop and build in confidence and appreciate how their lives are enhanced through learning opportunities and working within the community.