My mucky break
Mucking out a farm in the middle of winter isn’t most people’s ideal job… but Mitch Woodham is happy as a pig in clover. The 21-year-old, who has autism and a learning disability, was delighted to land the role after finding it impossible to even find a volunteer position.
But he hasn’t looked back since joining Mencap’s supported employment programme two years ago.
Mitch, who mucks out the pigs twice a day, come rain or shine, said: “It’s a dream job. It means the world to me to do a job I truly enjoy.”
Mitch studied Animal Management at college, which led to a work placement as a farmhand at None Go Bye Farm in Horsforth, near his home in Leeds.
This became a proper paid job after Mitch more than proved his worth.
Fewer than five per cent of people with a learning disability have paid employment in the UK, yet more than 60 per cent want to work.
Mitch said: “Some people just won’t hire people with disabilities – a shame, considering we’re in the 21st century.
“Working on the farm has been an important part of my life and has helped me gain confidence in a lot of ways, especially talking to people. I really love working with the animals and my different jobs on the farm.”
Rosie, Mitch’s manager at None Go Bye Farm, said: “Mitch works really hard to do his best, and his passion and enthusiasm for animals is always very clear.”
Mencap’s Mark Capper said: “People with a learning disability can work and want to work. With the right support, they can make fantastic employees.
“People with a learning disability are shut out of work and this has a negative impact on their quality of life.
“It limits their independence, knocks their self-esteem and makes them feel even more excluded from society.
“We’re pleased to have teamed up with the farm to help Mitch achieve his dream job. We know that supporting people like Mitch into paid employment transforms lives and it’s also good for business.”
Last year, Mencap supported around 1,800 people with a learning disability through its employment programmes.
More than 250 of them secured employment as a result.
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