selectability Rockhampton helps Casey reach goal of dream job

For 21 year-old Casey his dream of becoming a baker seemed out of reach; that was until selectability opened its Rockhampton Mental Health Hub.

As Regional Coordinator Debra Fitzgerald tells us, selectability has been able to support Casey to access his community and be a part of it and focus on achieving his goal of working in a bakery. 

"Thanks to selectability’s support Casey has been able to attend his therapeutic appointments and learn the skills to become more confident and independent. Most importantly he has been supported to become job ready and access employment opportunities."

With a team of skilled Lifestyle Support Workers (LSWs) and NDIS knowledge and expertise Casey, who has an autism level 2/ADHD diagnosis, the choice to join selectability as a consumer was an easy one for Casey. 

It was then through his NDIS plan that Casey was granted School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) funding and began working with Nolan from Mylestones Employment.

selectability’s LSWs supported Casey to achieve his goal of employment by assisting with transport and support during his SLES appointments while helping Casey to build his confident and self-esteem.

"Working with Nolan (Mylestones Employment) we have been able to help Casey improve his confidence and overall job readiness," said Debra.

"A big part of this was supporting and encouraging Casey to head into various bakeries in town, speak with the owners and offer them his resume."

It was this process that saw Casey visit Dean Street Bakery where he met owners Sam and Cydelle Hayman.

Casey was enthusiastic and willing to learn which was immediately evident to Sam and Cydelle so they offered him a trial as a bakery assistant.

"I love cooking had always wanted to become a baker."

Sam and Cydelle couldn’t be happier with having Casey as part of their team.

"Casey is a great kid. We are so pleased to give him an opportunity to work and do something he loves," said Sam.

"He is an absolute delight and the team at Dean Street Bakery really enjoys working with him … he turns up to work each day, happy, with a smile on his face and ready to work. If everyone had Casey’s attitude, the world would be a better place."

Casey is happy being a part of the Dean Street team and enjoys learning the ropes as he focuses on his ultimate goal of becoming a baker.

"Right now I help out, slicing loaves of bread, packaging bread, cleaning, packing the stock, filling the cabinets. I would like the opportunity to progress to complete an apprenticeship as a baker," said Casey.