At CASBA, our values of respect, working together, and accessibility guide everything we do. That’s why we put real effort into making sure every member of staff has what they need to do their best work, feel valued, and collaborate easily with colleagues and citizens.

Like many employers, we provide reasonable adjustments such as adapted equipment, flexible working, quiet workspaces, private rooms for calm breaks, and a range of wellbeing support. This includes wellbeing hours, away days, staff reward schemes, and an accessible office designed with comfort and inclusion in mind. At Touchbase Pears, you can even enjoy a massage during your lunch break!

We also work closely with Access to Work, the government scheme that helps employers support disabled staff through equipment, training, and practical adjustments. The impact of this support can be genuinely life‑changing.

Jen, our Project Officer for Pregnancy to Parenthood, has kindly shared her experience of how Access to Work has helped her thrive in her role at CASBA. Her story highlights the difference the right support can make.

There have been a lot of changes in my life personally and at work at CASBA.

I had cognitive behaviour therapy for personal reasons outside of work. I am also having training funded by access to work  which is also helping me to cope with change.
Usually I am really attached to things. For example, when we moved desks in the office, I kept wanting my old desk back. I chose a place in the office that meant I could lip read my colleagues, but its noisy here and I am swapping places with a colleague. It’s amazing to think I am now happily preparing to  move desks. This would have been really difficult in the past.
As well as my coaching training, I’ve had read/write, talk/type training as I now have some software that means I can speak to my computer and it writes for me. It also checks my spelling. I’ve got a lot  of new equipment to support me too.

I have had a brand new monitor connected to my new ergonomic  keyboard and mouse. These make work so much easier.
Most exciting though….. I have a brand new chair specially fitted for me. It’s so exciting I keep showing everyone my chair, even office colleagues on the other desk banks, trustees and volunteers. I love my chair it helps keep me in the right position and supports my body. I’m so happy with it, I can’t wait to come to work! I used to dread sitting on my old chair, and now I have no pain at all when I get home. The chair is heated and this helps with pain, I can inflate the back to give me better support and I can even put it into a rocking motion  so I can move while sitting so much better. I’m so comfortable I don’t have to keep getting up and stretching like before. I was that excited when my chair arrived my colleague looked at me and said ‘I take it your chair is here?’ I could even choose my own colour. I chose purple because it’s my favourite colour and it’s also CASBA’s colour. I love my chair.

The coaching I am doing is helping me with my work jobs, distractions, remembering things, changes etc and I’ve learnt new skills that I am sharing with colleagues.

My coach suggested I write each job on a post it note. When I’d done it I could throw it away. If I got distracted I knew where I was. Try it sometime when you’re really busy – it really works! I use a 20 minute egg timer to help me concentrate and focus and I buddy up with a colleague to work together without distractions. I’m getting so much done!

We hot desk in the office and it was impossible for anyone to share my desk. I really like my things around me. With support I have reduced the items on my desk and the ones I want to keep like my picture of Phyllis my friend and my son Jack, they go into my drawer at the end of the day. It means my desk buddy can use the desk after me.

I wanted to share my story about adapting to change at work as I know many people struggle with the same things. I wanted to show how to cope with changes. Although it’s been difficult parting with certain items, both at home and at work, I have been really helped by my therapy, the training, my family at home and my work family at CASBA. If I can do it, so can you!