We’re proud to partner with AFK charity, an incredible organisation dedicated to creating life-changing opportunities for children and young people who are disabled or neurodiverse. AFK works tirelessly to remove barriers, increase independence, and support young people in achieving their full potential, and we were honoured to support that mission.
Our Learning and Development Manager, Andrea Wood, was recently invited to deliver an employability skills session to a group of young learners supported by AFK.
A tailored approach to employability
The day was structured into two key parts:
- A morning workshop on personal branding
- An afternoon session of mock interviews, where participants could apply what they’d learned.
To make the experience meaningful and relevant, the workshop was carefully tailored to align with AFK’s values and the needs of the learners. The session was designed to build both self-awareness and practical confidence, covering a range of topics including:
- What a personal brand is and why it matters in interviews and beyond
- Identifying and expressing personal values and how these can help you stand out
- Recognising transferable skills and how to talk about them in a professional setting
- The ABC model – a practical tool to help learners think about their Appearance, Behaviour, and Communication during interviews
The learners began by reflecting on their personal values, the things that matter most to them and how those values shape their behaviour and decisions. They then moved on to a skills-mapping activity, identifying strengths and learning how to give examples that demonstrate them in real-life situations.
They explored the difference between how they see themselves and how others might perceive them, and how emotions like confidence, nerves, or self-doubt can influence interview performance. By using tools like the ABC model, they built a practical checklist to help them present their best selves.
A day full of confidence and growth
Throughout the session, the learners were encouraged to speak up, share ideas, and reflect on what they were learning. The morning built up to the afternoon’s mock interviews, where their growth was clear to see.
Reflecting on the experience, Andrea shared:
“It was such a great experience personally, working with young people determined to enhance their skills and reach their potential. Seeing their enthusiasm and the progress they made in just one day was incredibly rewarding.”
Why it matters to us
From a wider perspective, this partnership directly supports our Social Value strategy by supporting employment and skills opportunities for those who may face barriers to work. As our social impact manager, Charlotte Macdonald, noted:
“From our perspective, this aligns closely with our Social Value strategy, providing employment and skills opportunities to those who may face barriers to employment, and strengthens our commitment as a Disability Confident employer.”
AFK’s work is an example of how the right support at the right time can unlock someone’s future. Their person-centred approach and commitment to inclusion made this collaboration deeply meaningful for our team.
We’re grateful to AFK for the opportunity to contribute to such meaningful work and look forward to future opportunities to support their mission. Collaborations like this remind us of the power of shared values and how investing in young people, particularly those who face additional challenges, benefits us all.