Neurodiversity Celebration Week: Smashing employment barriers with resilience and determination
Jenny Taylor, from Drayton near Abingdon, has come through many challenges in her life, from being bullied at school to struggling to find full time employment.
But the 36 year old, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in her teens, is now thriving, working for Oxfordshire County Council’s in-house print company, County Print Finishers, which specialises in offering accessible employment to people who are experiencing a disability or long term health concern.
Jenny spent ten years after leaving secondary school in a mixture of part-time and full-time further education settings, including specialist colleges for people with autism.
She initially worked for the family’s MOT service business as a bookkeeper and a garage assistant. Jenny said: “No two days were the same at the garage. The business was going for 52 years before my dad and uncle retired and I lost my job. In the same year, my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a really difficult time for me.”
After months of supporting her mother’s recovery, Jenny felt it was time to try and find a permanent job, but with funding being reduced from the charity that was supporting her, she was put in touch with Oxfordshire Employment to help her find the job she wanted.
Oxfordshire Employment is the county council’s service that works with people who have additional needs, understanding their individual skills and supporting them to find and maintain a job that’s right for them.
For Jenny, her stand out organisational skills, which she learnt during her time as a bookkeeper, and natural attention to detail were a clear advantage to any employer looking for reliable and hardworking staff.
And after receiving some interview training and support with her CV, Jenny was offered casual work with a party entertainment business, before earning a position at County Print Finishers in February 2020.
Having started in a part-time role, Jenny worked her way up in the company and is now a full-time grade five workforce associate, which is something she very much enjoys.
She said: “I have quite a lot of responsibility here. I look after a production line that does things like the relabelling of goods, making them ready to sell in shops. I make sure there aren’t any mistakes and keep the production line flowing. My aim is to one day be a supervisor.”
Jenny is an integral part of the County Print Finishers team, based in Osney Mead in Oxford. As well as making sure the production line operates smoothly, she’s recently gained her forklift truck licence and is working towards even more qualifications to help her continue to progress her career.
Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Jenny story of resilience and determination is truly inspiring. She has overcome a number of barriers to find and maintain full-time work and while Oxfordshire Employment has given her outstanding support, it’s Jenny’s hard work and aspirational attitude that’s really led to her success.
“She is a wonderful example of how people from a range of backgrounds, with unique skills and dedication, can bring value and diversity to Oxfordshire’s workforce.”
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