Ellie Cole's Couch - Lyndsey transcript

Lyndsey: I think the future generations are just, it's going to be so completely different. Like I think there's definitely more open-mindedness towards disabilities now.

My name is Lindsey, I'm 22 and I'm an employment consultant at APM.

Ellie: Do you find that your lived experience and having ADHD, do you find that that has become a real strength and asset into your work in delivering, you know, top line performance for the participants that come through the door?

Lyndsey: Yeah, I have a few participants of mine, one of which, she's starting her own business, which is so lovely and so, but she sometimes struggles with setting boundaries. So, I'm helping her create boundaries. So, like I started off by, after all of our appointments, I'd send an email for what I want her to do before she comes in next. And now we're working up, I've printed off like day-by-day planners and we sit there in our appointments and we plan what she's going to do.

Ellie: If you're going to describe a disability employment service to anybody, how would you describe it?

Lyndsey: Everyone deserves their chance in life and that's what we're here to help with. We're here to break down the barriers of working. Everyone deserves to work. Everyone deserves to live their life how they want to do it, and having a job is one of the best ways to do that. You meet new people, you get your own money. That's your money, your hard-earned money. And it helps: we don't just help you get a job, we help you become ready to get a job. We set up the routines, we help you work on your barriers. It’s such a good service that I really think people should utilise to the fullest because that's what we're there for.

Ellie: And it must be so empowering for you as well to be able to find someone their first job, and so motivating for you to want to keep continuing that.

Lyndsey: Yeah. It's honestly like, as soon as you get someone their job, you're just like, “oh wow, yay!” And I only just got my first client their first job.

Ellie: Congratulations!

Lyndsey: It literally only just happened. I was like, “Oh my God, this is so exciting!”

I think the future generations are just, it's going to be so completely different.

I think there's definitely more open-mindedness towards disabilities now because like, obviously the end goal is to get everybody to understand, but slowly seeing it chip away already is like, “wow, that’s great”.

Ellie: I know, it's very exciting.

Lyndsey: Yeah.

Ellie: Thank you so much for coming in today and sharing your insights. I've loved it and I'm really excited to see what you do next.

Lyndsey: Thank you.

Ellie: Thank you.