Towe 20 - LumenaConecto

Interview Towe 20 years

Internships leading to employment

Towe was struggling to find work on her own and was helped to get an internship through Hoppet, which is part of Lumena.
Thanks to the project, she has received coordinated support, adapted training leading to employment. Before joining the project, she didn't realise she could get adaptations due to her autism diagnosis, but now she knows about the possibilities and her rights.

What was your living situation before joining Lumena?

I had finished high school and decided not to continue studying but to take a gap year and work. I thought it would be easy but it was very difficult to get a job. I searched for myself for a long time but got nowhere. In connection with that, I was relatively recently diagnosed with autism. Through the habilitation centre in Sollentuna, I took a course with them on how to navigate adult life with autism.

I had a final meeting at the habilitation centre and I said I didn't know what to do next. They told me about a place called Hoppet which is part of Lumena and that they help young people looking for work. I went there for a drop in and I've been here ever since.

Did you know what your rights were once you were diagnosed with autism?

No, I didn't know how my diagnosis affected the process. I just applied for jobs without thinking about it.

It's here at Hoppet that they told me what rights I have. It felt good to have someone on my side. In Lumena there are people who are knowledgeable and who have contacts, it feels very safe.

I was also told that I could get a SIUS counsellor through the Employment Service, which I didn't know. I did not know I could get adjustments.

It felt good to have someone on your side. In Lumena there are people who are knowledgeable and who have contacts, it feels very safe.

What happened when you received support here at Hoppet and how has it affected you?

It's been good to have a place to stay to get into some routines. I also have a contact here at Hoppet who keeps track of my case and knows what support I need and what I can imagine working with. I've also been able to take a course where I learnt how to work at the checkout and what it's like to work in a second-hand shop.

I have also received help with how to apply for activity support and how to fill in activity reports. I have received help with all the administration, because I have found that difficult.

One more thing I got help with is writing CVs and writing cover letters.

I have also received help with how to apply for activity support and how to fill in activity reports. I have received help with all the administration, because I have found that difficult.

The project aims to provide coordinated interventions - have you received any such support?

Yes, my contact at the Public Employment Service has been working with Hoppet.

Is there any particular event in the project that was particularly significant?

At the beginning when I came here, my contact showed me that there is a pantry here and that it was just to take. It touched me a lot because all the authorities and everyone who was supposed to help me so far I had to fight for every crumb, that nothing was for granted and that everything is a struggle.

How did you get the internship that leads to employment now?

I got the internship through SIUS. The adjustments are that I work 75%. Actually I was supposed to work 100% which I could not handle. My SIUS and employer discussed it and the employer was willing to let me work 75%.

We are now at a different stage of the project. Is there a clear plan ahead for you?

I will be finalised in the project and don't feel I need their support anymore.

I will keep in touch with my new SIUS consultant as they are the ones who grant wage subsidies. I can also contact my SIUS if what was promised does not happen.

It feels good to have someone to back you up, it's nice to have someone on my side.

Is there anything that has been particularly good or anything that the project could improve?

It feels good to have someone backing you up, it's nice to have someone on my side. They have no other motives than to help me and they will not take anything from me.

I can't think of any area for improvement at the moment. I think everything has worked well. They have done what they were told and they have been very nice to me.