WorkFit candidates excel at Amazon

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At Amazon’s Fulfilment Centre in Swindon, four employees—Louis, Kerry, Kaustubh, and Michael—are building their careers with pride and purpose, supported by the Down’s Syndrome Association’s (DSA) WorkFit programme. WorkFit provides tailored support to help candidates with Down’s syndrome find meaningful work and thrive in their roles.

All four joined Amazon through WorkFit, which partnered closely with the Swindon team to ensure a smooth recruitment and onboarding process. Their roles are well-suited to their skills and interests, and each has become a valued member of the team.

Louis and Kerry recently celebrated one year at Amazon, a milestone that reflects their hard work and the inclusive culture Amazon fosters. Kaustubh and Michael, who joined more recently, are already making great progress and contributing to get her to the level of work she needed to do the job well. None of this would have been possible without the support of Amazon and WorkFit, with a special shout out to Roy, Swindon’s WorkFit Liaison Officer.”

Kaustubh’s father, Krishna, also spoke about his son’s positive experience: “I can say Kaustubh is really proud of his employment with Amazon and is really enjoying it. I’m looking forward to a long association with Amazon, as it seems to be the right thing for Kush. So grateful for your efforts and a massive thank you to the Down’s Syndrome Association plus Amazon teams— you are amazing!”

Michael’s mother, Sian, shared a lovely insight into his enthusiasm for the job: “All I can say is he really enjoys going to work. When I ask him how it’s going he says it’s fine. He’s even asked for another shift! Thank you so much.” Andy, Louis’s father, highlighted just how impactful the experience has been for his son: “Although two 4-hour shifts a week probably don’t sound like a lot of time to many people, I can’t emphasise enough the difference this makes to Louis’s day-to-day life. During Covid Louis’s mental health and independence suffered a lot as he stopped almost all of his socialising. Afterwards, it was very difficult to get him to do anything as he had got used to staying at home, but when Roy from the Down’s Syndrome WorkFit group made us aware of the Amazon job opportunity, we knew it would be good for him. When I compare how he is now, you can genuinely see the benefits of what a job can do. He was sceptical at first and it has required patience and support from us, Roy and the Amazon team in Swindon, who have welcomed him in from the very first visit. He is happy, more outgoing, confident and enjoys going to work, and it has enabled him to interact with others and have independence from us.” And Kerry herself summed it up beautifully, saying, “I love my job and all the team. I feel confident and proud of myself to have a paid job. Thank you to everyone that has helped me achieve the work.”

Managers and colleagues have praised the dedication, reliability, and positive outlook that Louis, Kerry, Kaustubh, and Michael bring to their roles. Their success is a testament to the value of inclusive employment practices that support individuals in achieving their goals and strengthen workplaces in the process. Amazon’s partnership with WorkFit ensures that support continues long after the first day, helping employees feel confident and equipped for long term success.

The General Manager at Amazon Swindon, David Tindal expressed “It’s a real honour to be supporting Louis, Kerry, Kaustubh, and Michael through this employment pathway with the Down’s Syndrome Association and we love having them on the team. There’s a place for everyone at Amazon and we have the resources and desire to help you build and progress in the career you want.” As we think about the celebration of Louis and Kerry’s work anniversary, it’s inspiring to see how meaningful opportunities, backed by the right support, can lead to lasting, positive change for individuals and teams alike.

You can read more about Louis and Kerry’s milestone here: FE News | Celebrating the importance of work: Employees with Down’s syndrome mark one year at Amazon These opportunities have been supported by Roy Perrett, the WorkFit Liaison Officer who is commissioned by the Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group. Roy delivers WorkFit in the Swindon group’s catchment area and his partnership with employers, of all shapes, sizes and across a wide range of industry sectors, continues to be hugely successful. The Swindon group are committed to supporting their members to realise their career ambitions and fulfil their potential. Swindon Group Chair, Kim West told us “We are incredibly proud to see our young people with Down’s syndrome thriving in meaningful employment at Amazon. Their presence is not only enriching the workplace but also breaking down barriers and challenging outdated perceptions. This partnership is a powerful example of what’s possible when inclusion becomes more than just a goal — it becomes a reality. We thank Amazon for recognising the value and potential of our young people”.

Want to read more WorkFit achievements?

To find out more about WorkFit and how we support people who have Down’s syndrome to access meaningful work opportunities that can benefit the rest of their lives, please contact the team on 0333 12 12 300 or email us on dsworkfit@downssyndrome.org.uk For more information visit the WorkFit website: https://www.dsworkfit.org.uk/

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