Spotlight on Employment: Kassra’s Story

Kassra has lots of experience as a volunteer, but he dreams of a paid job.

He has just started volunteering at the Natural History Museum. He is a learning volunteer and shows displays to people who come to the museum. It fits with his love of science and the natural world.

Kassra has also been a volunteer at College Park  – a school which supports children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities – and as an usher with Southwark Playhouse.

Kassra told us more about his experience and what he hopes for.

Question and Answer:

What have you learned from volunteering?

The clothes to wear, personal hygiene, also being polite as well. Eye contact is important, being yourself and coming in on time. Punctuality is very very very important.

To get more experience and use that for future employment elsewhere.

Would you like a paid job?

What I really want to do is find paid work and get a job interview. I’ve been trying and sometimes they might reject me. That’s the problem. Rejections – I hate it. I just really hate getting rejected.

I would like to in the future so I can make some more money as well and have a pretty well-paid cheque. It is hard earning money. I wish I made more money.

How can the workplace help you in the job?

Have colleagues that are more understanding, so I won’t have a misunderstanding. I want to have people who understand special needs, autism and learning disabilities very very well. Not to discriminate, not to have doubt, but to be more understanding. That is important to me.

What kind of jobs would you like to do?

Stewarding. At The Lyceum or The Peacock Theatre or the one that’s playing Mamma Mia or the Prince of Wales or The Lyric in Shaftesbury Avenue. (Kassra is a big fan of the theatre, he says.) Kinky Boots is my favourite play. It made me want to dance and be part of the show as well.

What else would you like to say?

I think volunteering it can be a little bit boring as well. I prefer paid jobs. Some people think I’m not ready for that kind of stuff because of the professional boundaries I have trouble with.  I want people to be more understanding, so I don’t want to upset them easily.

Thank you to Kassra for talking about this important subject. 

If you would like to explore inclusive employment, we can help you find the right local service and be a friendly ear in the process. Please contact:

Mandy Crowford: mcrowford@ldnlondon.org

Luana Baptista: lbaptista@ldnlondon.org