Finding Acceptance at Work: Sienna’s Story for Youth Employment Week
It’s Youth Employment Week, and Sienna shares what it’s really like balancing work while caring for someone you love. From feeling accepted by colleagues to the difference it makes when employers truly understand, this is her story.
Looking after somebody you love is tough, and seeing the person you love struggling can be difficult. But knowing they have their family’s support will reassure them massively.
Caring Together made me realise I wasn’t on my own. Being with others in similar situations made me feel that I wasn’t on my own.
I’ve had amazing opportunities to spread awareness and have my voice heard as a young adult carer. If you’re an unpaid carer who hasn’t been identified, reach out to us – we’ll try our hardest to support you!
Work is one thing that I’ve found difficult, but that’s due to my own health. Over the last couple of years, I’ve struggled to find work. Some places are understanding, but some aren’t, and it hurts. Why should others feel the need to discriminate? If I wasn’t unwell, I’d be treated the same as others.
The only places I’ve been accepted are when I’ve done work experience. My first was in a mainstream school, a health and social care setting, and in an additional needs school.
I felt very comfortable when I was at the additional needs school. Even though I may not have had the same disability as them, I could relate to wanting that acceptance from others.
The staff were absolutely amazing, and I couldn’t have felt safer when with them. Being able to call them my work colleagues was an absolute pleasure! I was never pressured into doing anything I wasn’t comfortable with and was told that if I needed to take a minute, I could take it!
I always had support on site, and I knew if I ever needed a chat, I could have it. Even though I was on work experience, I was one of them – part of the team and one of their work colleagues!
Communication is key, and it always should be! Communicating with our work colleagues is much easier than having it all bottled up. Knowing all of us staff have each other’s support is one thing that I loved. When being around those for a while, we can see a difference in all of ourselves and our mood.
They’ll pick up on it and should approach us in a respectful manner, asking if everything’s okay and if there’s anything they can do to help and support you.
