Did you know that we spend on average a third of our lives sleeping? Putting aside the existential dread that could stem from such a train of thought, it means that where and how we sleep are two very important things! The mattress we choose to lay ourselves down after a long day of activity needs to be expertly crafted by a highly skilled stitcher to suit the needs of our bodies. We may not all know it, but we put a lot of faith in these unsung heroes of bed rest.
Meet Sarah, a hardworking and practised stitcher at The Mattress Company in Yandina on the Sunshine Coast. Day after day, she clocks in with a confident smile, ready to gently guide the mattresses through the stitching machine and conduct repairs where necessary. Once she’s assembled several quality mattresses, she makes her way around her area of the factory and gives it a good clean.
Despite how second nature it all might seem to someone observing Sarah at work, one of her biggest hurdles going into a new position was her confidence. The job search is always daunting, and Sarah found it difficult to avoid getting cold feet when she was staring it in the face.
Humble beginnings for Sarah
“I remember being reluctant to begin with, just because of how new and scary everything was,” Sarah confessed.
“I didn’t really understand what I had to do. There was no prior experience besides cleaning, so that made it all the more difficult. It was tough seeing all the prerequisites required for the jobs I was looking at.”
For Sarah, the job hunt was something that she felt was going nowhere. Handling it on her own had been almost impossible. So, as she aptly put it, she “came to EPIC Assist for some assistance!”
EPIC Assist (EPIC) is a local Disability Employment Services (DES) provider that connects job-ready people with disability with supportive and inclusive workplaces.
Sarah explained to us just how vital EPIC’s support has been for her job search and employment process. She has autism, dyslexia, and ADHD, so she tends to find a lot of new situations overwhelming. What she needed most was emotional support, someone to offer a steady hand and let her know that despite her misgivings – she’s got this. And that’s exactly the kind of support she got when she first met her Employment Advisor Mary-Clare.
Some EPIC support to turn the tide
Mary-Clare recognised the skillset that Sarah had, and her particular knack for repetitive work. She immediately got in contact with Robert, the owner of The Mattress Company and the rest is history!
Robert is always ready to sing the praises of EPIC and Mary-Clare.
“EPIC has been awesome, particularly Mary-Clare. There are enough challenges in running a business as is. So the fact I can rely on Mary-Clare to source pre-vetted employee candidates and answer any questions or issues that they might have, it’s been a godsend. And I can trust that Sarah’s being well looked after.”
Robert makes a special effort to get to know his employees. He’s said so himself that he sees his team at the Mattress Company as part of his family. This kind of dynamic really allowed Sarah to open up. She could settle into the work environment, and get to know the people around her. It’s this kind of treatment that’s allowed her to really focus on developing her self-confidence.
“She’s a lot more outgoing than she used to be. As long as things are taken slowly, you can teach her to do anything,” Robert said with a grin.
Sew much progress at The Mattress Company
Modest as she is, Sarah also admits that she’s really progressed since she’s started at The Mattress Company.
“I know how to use a machine now! I didn’t have a clue at first, but the people around me were very patient and happy to help me learn.
“It’s also established a good sense of routine with me. My autism and ADHD clash with one another, so I crave routine but often find it very hard to maintain. The job provides a great structure for me and helps me function.”
One thing people who hang around Sarah know is how introspective she is. We asked about how she thinks she’s grown as a person thanks to this newfound routine, and she gushed about how good it feels to have a sense of progression in her life. The sense of rhythm helps keep her calm and grounded in the day-to-day.
“Thanks to my work being repetitive, it gives me the chance to do a deep dive into my own brain while I work. I find that very enjoyable and healthy for me. It means I can develop strategies to be less timid and reserved,” Sarah explained thoughtfully.
Robert admitted to us that the stigma in society surrounding hiring people with disability is “sad, but definitely exists.” He was quick to assure us that as far as his family (both employees and blood relatives) is concerned – they have no issues with it! They all see Sarah as one of their own.
“She’s all I want in an employee. She comes in with a smile, she’s never late, and she’s always doing exactly what she needs to do. That’s why I swear by always giving anyone a shot,” Robert said proudly.
Final words from Robert and Sarah
Before we let Robert and Sarah get back to the mattresses, we asked them about their final thoughts on their experience with EPIC and if they would recommend it to other people like them who were thinking about joining.
“If you’re like I was, very reluctant to begin the job search process because of how new and scary it all is – don’t worry! EPIC helped me get into it and supported me the whole time. Now I’m reaping the benefits. The main takeaway is it’s worth a shot, so do it,” Sarah exclaimed confidently.
The answer we got from Robert was short and sweet. When it came to advice that he would give to any businesses considering hiring people with disability, he had three words for them.
“Go for it.”
If you have a disability, injury, mental health condition, or health condition, contact us today to find out how we can help you prepare for, find, and keep a job you love.
If you’re thinking of hiring a person with disability, start the conversation with us today by phoning 13 EPIC (3742) or sending us a message.
