A learning disability charity’s new personalised technology (PT) co-ordinator has put her career progression down to time spent as a support worker.
Holly Parker, from Bishop’s Stortford, has landed her “dream job” at Hft having initially taken on a part-time role eight years ago.
And the 26-year-old believes her years of knowledge and skills gained while being a support worker have helped her take the next step on the ladder.
Hft is one of the UK’s leaders in the use of PT – sometimes referred to as assistive technology – which supports people with learning disabilities to increase their independence, safety, privacy, choice and control.
“I was very young when I started support work,” said Holly. “There were lots of basic life skills I didn’t know about, like cooking, for example. Through supporting others, I learned how to cook a roast dinner.
“People don’t always appreciate what support workers do. It’s massively underplayed and misunderstood. Some people think anyone can do it, but that’s not the case. It’s hard work, but so rewarding and so worth it.
“My duties were very varied. I could be supporting someone to cook and clean one day and heading to Thorpe Park the next!”
