Care home embraces employee with Down's Syndrome

A care home in Bristol has revealed how rewarding it is to have a person with Down’s Syndrome on the team.

Alex Warman works as a catering assistant at the St Monica Trust’s Garden House, and carries out duties including laying the tables in the home’s restaurant and delivering lunch and drinks to the residents’ rooms.

Senior caterer Clare Prosper said: “He’s got a lovely personality and a great sense of humour. The residents absolutely love Alex and seeing him is always guaranteed to put a smile on their faces.

“I was quite nervous when asked to work with Alex because I’d never worked with someone with Down’s Syndrome before,” she continued. “Alex sometimes struggles with his speech, so I started to learn sign language. That means that if he’s struggling to communicate verbally, Alex can use sign language and I can understand him.

“The management team have also provided me with access to training from the Down’s Syndrome Association to help me better support Alex. It’s inspired me to think about becoming a support worker for people with learning disabilities in the future.”

Warman, who competes in nationwide Special Olympics events as a swimmer, applied for the part-time position at the end of last year, but was unable to start work until April 2021 due to the pandemic. During his interview he was supported by his mum, Zoe, and answered questions using a personalised tablet device. After employing him, the home contacted the Down’s Syndrome Association.

Home business manager Lin Thomas, who interviewed Warman, said: “Alex had previous catering experience and we felt he had qualities to offer that would have a positive impact on residents and staff alike. We therefore offered him a part-time, fixed term position for six months working eight hours per week over two days.

“Since joining us Alex has quickly settled into the team and become a valued member of staff, popular with both residents and staff across the whole care home. We’re very grateful for the support of the Down Syndrome Association in making Alex’s time with us so rewarding.”

The Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) recently supported the launch of the global awareness campaign The Hiring Chain, which aims to spread the message that hiring a person who has Down’s Syndrome not only changes the life of the person concerned, but can also trigger new opportunities for the people around them.

To find out more about The Hiring Chain, click here.