Alex’s journey: From job seeker to support worker

Alex is living a life he once thought was out of reach.

As a valued support worker at Lifeplan Disability Services in Perth, he helps people with disability achieve their goals and stay connected to their community.

But not long ago, Alex didn’t believe he’d ever find a job.

“I couldn’t talk to anybody,” Alex says.

“I couldn’t even walk outside and say hello to people because I was so shy.”

Read a full transcript of this video. 

Unemployment left Alex, who has Autism, feeling like he couldn’t do anything. His confidence was low, and social situations felt overwhelming.

That all changed when he connected with APM Employment Services.

“APM really supported me through difficult times,” Alex says.

“They helped me build confidence, do training, and even get my driver’s licence.”

When it came to searching for a job, Alex had difficulty with his speech and communicating with other people.

He also benefited from additional guidance to learn new tasks, taking a little more time to commit tasks to memory.

With the right support, Alex found a role that suits his strengths perfectly - supporting other people with disability in the community.

His employer, Shannon, couldn’t be happier: “Alex has such a friendly, smiley disposition. He brings so much positivity to our clients and supports them with that same energy.”

“Putting someone with a disability in to help other with a disability is a really empowering thing.

“Some clients and their families were apprehensive at first, but after working with Alex and seeing how fantastic he is with their clients, it gives renewed hope for what their own family are able to achieve.”

Alex’s role sees him help clients with everyday tasks like shopping and cooking, driving them to appointments, and encouraging them to engage in their community.

Along the way, he’s learned new skills—and even picked up a few recipes for himself.

“My friends and family are so happy for me—it makes me really happy, and it makes me a better person,” Alex says with a big smile.

When asked about the future, his answer says it all:

“I’m ready. Rock n’ roll!”