Congratulations to Shane, who has recently taken an exciting step forward – starting his first job!
Shane made it all happen with support from his Shared Lives carer, Mick and Faye – and Shared Lives Co-ordinator, Reena – who helped him connect with Rachel from the Wolverhampton Supported Employment team. Working alongside Shane, the team made sure he had the time and guidance to find a role that truly suited him. This included extending the usual one-month Supported Employment provision, so Shane could receive the right level of support to achieve his goal.
Shane’s new role is demanding, but the rewards come from teamwork and a job done well – something he seems to take a great deal of pride in. Here’s what he has to say about his new day-to-day…
A Day in the Cellar at Wolves Stadium
by Shane
“The day starts early at the Wolves Stadium, where the roar of the crowd may be hours away, but the hum of work never stops. As a cellar porter, my shift begins below ground — in the cool, echoing corridors of the cellar.
It’s not glamorous, but it’s mine. I spend most of my day lifting boxes — heavy, light, and everything in between — stacking and sorting them like pieces in a puzzle. The real workout begins when I start hauling up bottle bins. It’s rough, sweaty work, and sometimes I feel like I’m getting tossed around by the job itself.
But honestly? I don’t mind.
Because every time I make a delivery to the restaurant upstairs, I’m greeted by my friendly coworkers who make me forget the ache in my arms. Sometimes they hand me checklists, scribbled with requests for stock — soft drinks, wines, mixers, and of course, the all-important beer.
Back in the cellar, it’s quieter. Just me, the hum of the coolers, and the steady drip of the beer lines. I check the gauge — my silent companion in the job. If the needle drops too low, it means one thing: time to swap out a keg. With a practiced rhythm, I roll a fresh one into place, connect the line, and feel a little surge of pride as the pressure builds again.
By the end of the day, I’m tired but satisfied. The cellar’s stocked, the restaurant’s happy, and the drinks will keep flowing long into the night. It’s not a job for everyone — but for me, it’s part muscle, part rhythm, and team work.
And honestly? That makes it all worth it.”
Working towards independence
Share reflected that starting this new job has given him “more responsibility”. While he’s exploring what kind of work he enjoys, he’s already thinking about his bigger goals in life, like building relationships and creating a future.
Shane’s story shows what’s possible when people have choice and the right support behind them. We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone and can’t wait to see what comes next for him!
What is Shared Lives?
Shared Lives is a scheme designed for adults who have a learning disability, autism, complex needs or need support and wish to live in a family home, similar to foster care but specifically for adults.
At Camphill Village Trust, we match individuals with trained Shared Lives carers who open their homes, hearts and family life to provide support.
From accessing the scheme to becoming a Shared Lives carer yourself, you can learn all about the service here.
Featured Image (right) – Stadium photograph license & attribution: Badgernet, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
