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Life-Changing Jobs: A Second Chance
- Annie Haley
- Oct 24, 2024
- 4 min read
Radiant Cleaners exists to provide life-changing jobs to those facing major barriers to work. These barriers might include alcohol and substance misuse, homelessness, mental and physical health struggles or previous involvement in the justice system; refugees and those with language barriers have also been employed. While it provides excellent cleaning services, it’s not just about the cleaning - it’s about the real lives being transformed through fair and supportive employment.
People are at the heart of what we do. And so in this blog series we want to give you a snapshot of some of the people working for RC. We have spoken with individual employees to find out their stories and how their employment has impacted their lives and the lives of those around them.
Patrick began working for Radiant Cleaners in 2022. His background was one of trauma that led to a cycle of crime and addiction that he couldn’t break. He had been to many drug rehabilitation centres but always found he went backwards afterwards and struggled with feeling that he was without purpose. Because of his history, he thought of himself as unemployable; and this gave him low self-esteem that caused further problems with obtaining or maintaining work.
However, he heard about Radiant Cleaners through a friend at Grace Church (who work in partnership Radiant Cleaners), and was told that they employ people with major barriers to work. He said,
“I was instantly attracted to the idea”, and he spoke with staff about how to apply.
Patrick was hugely encouraged by the approach of the Radiant Cleaners team:
That's what really stood out to me [...] that they didn’t judge or hold your past against you. I had been given a sense of hope after my initial conversations with them. It was really refreshing not to be tied to the same old stereotypes that people hold about people in addiction and this in turn helped me to view myself differently. This was a very important first step for me.
Patrick flourished as he worked with us. As well as the job, he soon began a full-time honours degree in criminology. He was delighted with the support RC gave him in doing this - he said that he was given hours around his commitments, that these were given to him ungrudgingly and that he never felt pressured to accept any hours that caused conflicts. The flexibility was important:
This was pivotal in me being able to continue with my degree and to meet the goals I have set for myself. This made time management much easier as I worked such a busy schedule and being able to meet these targets made me feel good about myself. Radiant Cleaners supported me through every step.
The support he received was essential in his journey as he sought to overcome the obstacles life had put in his way. He was signposted to helpful agencies, had regular check-ins and reviews, and had people praying for him which was important for him. The Living Life Reviews which are offered to all RC employees were a feature of his employment that he found very valuable for measuring his progress. He also liked the fact that these review sessions were paid for, saying it showed
“they are not just about what you can do for them but what they can do for you, they are unique amongst employers in this respect.”
While Patrick has made enormous steps forward, he also shared that life has not always been easy or simple during his employment with RC. As Patrick’s needs changed, he also worked for Half the Story, another business in the Grace Enterprises family. The team continued to provide support not just throughout his employment but also beyond it - including through difficulties in Patrick’s life that meant he had to stop working for a period of time. At a different time, he left and worked in a field more closely related to his career aspirations, but then returned to work here because the support and love he received gave him the right balance to help him through his final year at university. He has also found it to be hugely beneficial to have positive and healthy relationships with colleagues and members of the management team.
Patrick’s experiences demonstrate the effectiveness of the supportive employment model of Radiant Cleaners. It is so exciting to see Patrick progress and build a life that he previously thought was unrealistic and unattainable. He enjoys the empowering set-up here and looks to have this as a firm foundation whilst he continues his education and gets ready for his entry into a new career. To Patrick, this has been more than a stepping stone; it has been a part of his journey that will stay with him throughout his life.
Does your organisation need excellent cleaning services that also give back to your local community and provide tangible social value? Get in touch with us today to discuss your cleaning needs.
