OUR STORY

WHY WE DO IT

Sam asked if he could work behind our local community sports club bar. We thought: Why not? Sam has a learning disability. We still thought: Why not? Can you imagine a society that also thinks: Why not?… We can, and that is the inspiration behind ASSISTIV.

SAM’S STORY

“It all started because of me.

I play rugby at the weekends but I wanted to do more: I wanted to help out behind the bar like the other players.

A lot of people said that I could not work behind the bar because of my disability. I said why not?

It was a lot of hard work. We tried a lot of different things, but we did it. It worked. I worked behind the bar and I loved it. Pouring drinks, serving customers, it is what I want to do. I feel proud to tell people what I do and it is great earning my own money.

I also work for ASSISTIV to find ways to help other people with a learning disability. Later on I think I might want to run my own company.

Now people just ask how they can help!”

Stuart’s Story

“My background is in teaching children with Special Educational Needs. I also set up and ran a mixed-ability rugby team at the weekends.

One of my teammates, Sam, asked if he could help out behind the club bar. I thought: Why not? Sam has learning difficulties and I still thought: Why not? We started to explore a few solutions for how we could make it work and, before long …it worked. He worked. And it changed his life.

As a result, the solutions we are developing at ASSISTIV can benefit businesses from virtually every sector, with the ability to recruit and retain a loyal, engaged and effective workforce, like Sam.

Can you imagine a symbiotic, inclusive workplace ecosystem in a society that also thinks: Why not? We can, and that’s the inspiration behind ASSISTIV.”

NIGEL’S STORY

“My background is in IT recruitment and business consultancy. In 2017, along with two colleagues, I began working in the third sector with various Community Interest Companies and charities.

One of the first social enterprises we worked with was Access Hospitality (now AssistiV) and helped with the initial strategy. I remained involved on a regular basis for the next 4 years.

In May 2022, I joined AssistiV full-time with the ambition to help scale the offering and help as many individuals attain (and retain) long-term, fulfilling, paid employment.”

tRACY’s Story

“My background is the motor trade, where I was a director and co-owner of an independent garage for 32 years.

In 2019 I was introduced to Stuart and agreed to work initially on a voluntary basis to help implement an accounts and administration process.

As a result, I was offered a full-time role which gave me the opportunity to learn and develop my skills in a job coaching capacity – I have not looked back!

I now combine the roles of Operations Lead with Job Coaching.

I hugely enjoy supporting the individuals we work with, assisting them to become more independent and confident in their roles, using our assistive technology, and in turn transforming their lives.”