33-year-old Lucy Tolley with learning difficulties talks about her dream job with Mencap

Dec 2 2008 by Diane Parkes, Birmingham Mail

FOR Lucy Tolley, working on reception is a dream come true.

The 33-year-old of Sutton Coldfield has learning difficulties and while many companies may have felt reluctant to give her an opportunity, the charity Mencap was more than happy to offer her a place.

Lucy, who is based in Mencap’s offices in Yardley, has been working part time on reception for five years.

“I had to have an interview and I told them that I would work the hardest I could if they gave me the job,” she says.

“I did a week’s trial and then they gave me the job.

“I do things like making coffee, franking the post, answering the telephone. When people come in, I make them coffee. I do stationery and I collect post from the first and second floors.

Lucy works alongside full time receptionist Chris Shrives.

“Chris helps me. She shows me what to do,” says Lucy.

“And once I have learnt it I can do it by myself. I learn it first and then I do it on my own. Like last week when I had to put lots of files in order. It was difficult because it was really important that they were all in the right order but I did it.”

Paid employment has given Lucy a whole new experience of independence as it has also taken her on to public transport.

“I live in accommodation and they have a bus to get me to work because it is quicker but I get back by taking two buses,” she says.

And it has offered her the chance to develop other skills as she has also taken a college course in training people about disabilities.

“I talk to groups who are going to work with people with learning disabilities about what it is like,” she says. “I also do some talks for Mencap.”

For the moment Lucy is happy building on the skills she has.

“Having paid employment is great and I love what I am doing,” she says.