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This project was part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014 – 2020, the Department for the Economy, the Department for Communities, Investors in People, Health and Social Care and the Big Lottery Fund.

Jordan’s Story

Participant - Project Ignite2 & Workable

‘Getting into work has made me more confident. I know I can achieve anything I put my mind to now’.

It’s been an incredible year for Jordan since securing his first paid job in August 2017 with Spar/Hendersons. His success has been the culmination of over a year’s hard work on our ESF funded Ignite2 project. Participating on the Ignite2 project provided Jordan with the opportunity to sample work experience within Orchardville’s employability hubs, with local employers as well as undertaking OCN accredited training. All tailored towards his agreed development and inclusion goals.

Looking back at his time on the project, Jordan comments ‘I was quite nervous joining something new, I didn’t really know what to expect, but I worked with my Employment Officer at the start to put together a plan to help me progress and move forward, things just happened after that. I got more confident in my own ability and was more willing to try the things we worked on together. Now starting something new is no problem for me!’

More recently Jordan’s continued to achieve some incredible successes, both personally and professionally. At the Special Olympics Ireland games held in June 2018, representing Team Ulster in multiple gymnastics disciplines, he secured a medal haul of 4, 3 golds and 1 silver. ‘I was really pleased for everyone’ Jordan says ‘the whole team have been brilliant, and they all did their best. I had to train very hard and training can be quite intense but I enjoy it….gymnastics is a great sport to be involved in and it’s fantastic to represent Team Ulster’.

Alongside gymnastics Jordan also trains with Orchardville DFC, our newly formed football team who currently compete in League 1 of the IFA Disability League whilst also managing to find the time to commit to his role as Chair of Orchardville’s User Forum, a representative body of 10 participants from across our projects,whose work helps shape the direction of the services we deliver.

As for the future, Jordan is firmly focused on making the most of the opportunities offered by working for a large, diverse employer he continues “I am looking forward to developing my skills with the Henderson Group and the opportunities which will be available to me in the future with them”
With the continued support of his Employment Officer and the hard work and dedication he’s shown to date, we know Jordan can definitely achieve anything he puts his mind to!

If you or someone you know would like more information on how Ignite2 can provide the opportunity to gain employment with our support, contact Kirsty Spencer kirsty.spencer@orchardville.com or Michael Walker michael.walker@orchardville.com or on 028 90732326.

This project was part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014 – 2020, the Department for the Economy, the Department for Communities, Investors in People, Health and Social Care and the Big Lottery Fund.

Project

This opportunity was provided as part of our Ignite2 programme.

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