Woman with learning disability gets 'dream job' with air ambulance

The life of a young woman with learning disabilities has been transformed after her dream of working for the air ambulance came true.

As part of Learning Disability Week, Dorset Council has shared the story of Heather  - a woman with learning disabilities who become a volunteer for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA).

Supported employment provider Pluss has helped facilitate Heather's dream after helping her to volunteer in a café, and the Prama Care charity shop in Blandford to get work ready.

However, Heather's dream has always been to work for the air ambulance service - and the employment provider stepped in.

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Pluss contacted the charity, and at a subsequent meeting with its supporter engagement officer Becky Heath, it was clear that Heather was passionate about getting involved.

Tracey Spriggs, Pluss employment coach, said: "I was amazed at how much information Heather knew about the air ambulance - so was Becky - who at the end of the meeting asked Heather if she would like to complete an application form to be considered as a volunteer on the team.

"You can imagine how excited she was and this is exactly what we did on our next one to one meeting.

"After a few weeks we heard that Heather had been accepted as a volunteer.

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"We then attended the first general meeting where Heather met all the volunteers, and they discussed events and fund raising.

"She was loving it and every now and then she would turn to me and say, 'I can't believe this'. I could have cried - seeing a person who is so passionate and focussed."

Heather was then asked to attend a day at the DSAA headquarters at Henstridge where she met the air ambulance and the pilots and crew.

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Since then, she has worked at a Donor Day, carrying out different tasks and helped with the charity's fundraising Coast to Coast bike ride.

She has completed a defibrillator and other courses and hopes to move into some paid employment in due course.

Engagement officer with DSAA Becky Heath said: "Heather has been a fantastic addition to the volunteering team in Dorset.

"Her enthusiasm and infectious laughter brightens any event she attends.

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"The other volunteers always look forward to working alongside Heather and the crew feel very supported by her through her Facebook interactions and time spent at the airfield."

Julia Ingram, Dorset Council adult social care operations director, added: "It is great to celebrate the things people with learning disabilities offer to society and I am so pleased to hear of Heather's enthusiasm and love of working with the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and how this has been brilliantly facilitated by Pluss."