A former Bangor ‘community champion’ has taken a major career change recently, joining the ranks at Antur Waunfawr, a social enterprise that offers employment and training opportunities for adults with learning difficulties.
Leah Williams was until recently the Community Champion at Morrisons Bangor branch on Holyhead Road. In each of their stores, Morrisons have a Community Champion, colleagues who support their local communities, groups, and charities.
Leah is a former pupil at Ysgol Tryfan and she worked at the local supermarket for 13 years, forging strong ties with local schools, the Foodbank, and Tŷ Gobaith. But the 30-year-old recently decided on a significant career change.
As they launch a drive for more support workers, Leah has called for others in the Bangor area to come work for Antur Waunfawr.
“Everything about the company and what they offer is incredible.
“As I arrive at work in the morning, I see the smiles on the individuals’ faces. There’s no better feeling. It makes my day.
“Being a support worker, working with adults with learning difficulties is rewarding, and seeing them develop with my support gives me a lot of job satisfaction.”
Leah had wanted to work with people with learning difficulties since she was a child, and after working at Morrison’s Bangor for nearly 15 years, and having two children during that time, she was ready to the pursue that ambition.
“Antur Waunfawr has been completely understanding since I started working with them in June. When it comes to childcare arrangements, sickness, appointments and so forth.
“And the variety of work is substantial. I spend most of my time in the café.
“In the café we work with around 6 individuals every day from Monday to Friday. Not a single day is the same. We have pilates and mindfulness classes; we prepare Sunday lunch on Wednesday for everyone that works on the site that day.
“I also spend a lot of time working in the homes, giving one-to-one support to individuals so that they can live more independently.”
Despite having only worked in Antur for a few months, Leah claims she already has “plenty of good memories.”
“We went swimming to Bangor’s swimming pool with the individuals, and the fire alarm went off as we did lengths of the pool! And there we were, more than sixty of us having to go outside in our bathing costumes whilst it was raining heavily!
“The individuals I was with them at the time couldn’t stop laughing, whilst I just wanted to cry!”
Antur Waunfawr are currently looking to recruit more support workers to provide more adults with learning difficulties opportunities. According to Leah, they are looking for “supportive, and friendly” individuals to come work for the enterprise.
“Go for it. It’s an amazing company to work for, and there’s a lot of fun to be had!”
Those who are interested in learning more about jobs available should contact swyddi@anturwaunfawr.cymru or 01286 650721. The job advertisement can be found here, and the Recruitment Pack here.
