Lauryn Cauchi followed her heart and centred her career around helping people. Right after graduating in Psychology, she became a Job Coach for people with disabilities in Malta. Having never heard of the position of a job coach, she had no idea what she was getting into. Three years later at the Lino Spiteri Foundation in Malta, she enjoys her job of supporting people with disabilities at the workplace. She is our next Humans of EASPD story, get to know Lauryn’s journey and the impact she is making on society!

What do you do for a living?

Lauryn: I am a Job Coach working with the Lino Spiteri Foundation in Malta. We basically go around companies in Malta that have employed people with disabilities. They are our client base. So, my job is to help our clients with any tasks related to their jobs. It also extends to dealing with problems that can arise at the workplace.

At the end of the day, I have to check up on them to make sure they can work independently and complete their tasks. As in my job title, we help ‘coach’ them with everything surrounding their work!

Can you share your journey of becoming a job coach?

Lauryn: Actually, I studied Psychology at University. I had no clear idea on which job I wanted to do, all I knew was that I wanted to help people. It was my way of giving back to society.

One day while browsing online, I came across an advert for the position of a Job Coach at the Lino Spiteri Foundation. At first, I did not know what a job coach does. So, I read through the description and found the job instantly attractive. So, I applied and got the job!

The main aspect that attracted me to the position was that I would be helping people. I have been at the Lino Spiteri Foundation for three years now and I feel I have learnt so much and helped so many people with disabilities succeed at their job. Having a job is so important for them, just like for all of us. It gives them purpose and reason and improves their quality of life.

How do you think a job contributes to the quality of life of people with disabilities?

Lauryn: It gives them a purpose. Many of our clients need a reason to get out of their bed and do something that makes them feel important. Knowing that they are going to go to work gives them a sense of fulfilment. It also increases their social circle. They make new friends and speak to people outside of their family. It’s very healthy and much needed! Having a job pushes them to maintain their routine and enjoy little things in life. I always say that without my job I would be so lost. I see the same thing with my clients.

Do you think in the past three years you have seen more people with disabilities in the workplace in Malta?

Lauryn: There is progression. When I compare my first year to now, there is more awareness amongst companies. A lot of them want to hire people with disabilities and I have seen the market grow a lot. On my visits to companies, they often tell me that they were unaware of the schemes and policies that exist to hire people with disabilities. So, I see willingness amongst companies to hire people with disabilities — at least in Malta.

Can you talk about some challenges you have faced?

Lauryn: I think it’s tricky. I have a range of clients with a variety of disabilities. Many of my clients do really well at their jobs and can work independently. However, employers often feel people with disabilities require constant monitoring. This is far from true.

Yes, they require support, but many flourish and work independently if we give them the space to grow. Some employers want us to be by the client’s side twenty-four seven, even when the client is capable to finish their tasks themselves.

I feel this mentality needs to change and the employers have to trust the judgement of the job coaches. We are trained to know when our clients can work independently, and when they cannot.

But this is not limited to just employers. This push for full time support at the workplace comes from families of people with disabilities as well.

As job coaches, we of course want them to get the support they need. We also see them progress more as we work closely with them. For example, I have given transport training to our clients. We teach them the route to get to work by public transport and reach back home. Many of our clients are capable to do this, but we see families being resistant.

I understand their point of view as well, they want their children to be safe and not get hurt while commuting. However, it limits the growth prospects of our clients.

Can you mention some high points of your career?

Lauryn: When I work with a client for a while and eventually see them work independently, I feel really good. It’s also bitter-sweet for me because after a while they don’t need me! Almost like a bird leaving the nest!

They finish their tasks and fit in so well with the work culture of their office that I don’t need to visit them any more or keep too many tabs on them.

I worked with a client who had a 5-hour shift, two times a week in a gaming company. We had to visit her quite often. It took her time to understand her tasks and do them properly. We trained her with visuals and other tools to improve her concentration and focus. With time she stopped making mistakes and in fact she managed to increase her number of shifts!

She started working 3 days a week, got a company laptop and more freedom to do her tasks. We also noticed that slowly she adapted to changes in her schedule. Shift work means constant change in hours and days, but with proper training she was no longer irritable if her week schedule change and it was amazing.

Another really impressive aspect is that she is Maltese speaking. A few months into her job and she learnt English. She picked up the language from her colleagues and we gave her training through one-on-one conversations. I was so proud of her. I strongly believe that tailoring services to the needs of the client is key to their workplace experience.