Devon charities changed my life
A working collaboration between local charities, Devon Air Ambulance Trust and St Loye’s Foundation has given Devon resident Paul May a chance at a new life by providing him with an employment opportunity.
57 year old Paul May joined the Army in the 1970’s where he played clarinet in The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals.
Following 11 years of service Paul left the military and gained a job as a security officer with a major supermarket but after ten years of employment he was made redundant.
Only three days after losing his job, Paul lost his father to prostate cancer. He said: “Losing my father and being unemployed left me feeling really low. I lost all motivation and basically kicked my heels for 12 months.”
Paul was referred to Transitions, a St Loye’s Foundation project designed specifically to provide support to the Armed Forces community. The Transitions team sat with Paul, talking through his experiences and interests and helped him pursue a career in driving.
Transitions organised an informal meeting between Paul and Sue Whitham, Retail Development Manager at Devon Air Ambulance Trust, who was looking to hire part-time drivers for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust Furniture and Electrical Charity Shop in Exeter.
Paul said: “I had no previous experience but Transitions got me a meeting with the Manager at the Furniture and Electrical Charity Shop, which led to a two week placement.”
“I guess it went well as I was offered a formal interview. My Transitions support worker called me straight after the interview to see how it went and a few days later I was offered a job!”
Sue Whitham, Retail Development Manager at Devon Air Ambulance Trust, said: “In his interview it shocked me that such a nice guy didn’t have a job. I knew straight away after his 2nd day on placement that he was a winner. He’s a pleasure to work with.”
She said: “I would definitely recommend working with St Loye’s Foundation. They were extremely supportive, flexible and couldn’t do enough.”
“If I had a vacancy tomorrow St Loye’s Foundation is the first place I would call. It’s the best thing I ever did.”
If you would like more information on how St Loye’s Foundation can help you call 01392 255428 or visit their website www.stloyes.org.uk
