AoC Student of the Year Shelby to celebrate turning 21 with 21 work experience placements – including a return to College!

Shelby, who won the 2023 Association of Colleges (AoC) Student of the Year award in recognition of her support for the You-Can’t-Put-Me-Down Syndrome campaign, has not stopped raising awareness of the genetic condition since completing her Pathways to Work & Independent Living course with us.

Now 20, she was back on Campus last week to complete work experience with our Marketing and Business Partnerships teams.    

Shelby has already tasted a wide variety of roles as part of her 21 Work Experience Jobs in 3 Months campaign, including painting & decorating, gym instructing, hairdressing and dog grooming.

She has also enjoyed a spot of voiceover work and has been invited to work with MP for Selby Keir Mather on a variety of projects, including gin making and dog walking, as well as working in a school as a teaching assistant, on reception at a doctor’s surgery and with horses.

Rather than celebrating in a traditional way, Shelby wanted to use her 21st birthday to challenge herself and build new skills, while continuing to raise awareness and funds for charities that support people with down syndrome.

Her latest campaign highlights the importance of inclusive opportunities in the workplace and Shelby is being supported by her mum Suzanne to promote the venture, coordinate placements and encourage organisations to get involved.

Commenting on the journey so far, Suzanne enthused:

“For me, it’s been fantastic to see how many people have got behind Shelby to raise the profile and awareness of how challenging it is to get a job when you have a learning difficulty. People with learning difficulties do want to and can work, and shouldn’t be pigeonholed into jobs they are not interested in.

“Shelby’s confidence has grown significantly since starting this and it’s made her more determined than ever to work.”

During her time back at York College, Shelby brought her enthusiasm and creativity to the Marketing Team. With a strong interest in the performing arts, she helped plan and starred in a TikTok video showcasing the college’s facilities and student experience. The project allowed Shelby to combine her passion for performing with real-life marketing experience, while helping to promote the college.

Shelby also spent time working with the Business Partnerships team, where she collaborated with one of the college’s valued partners and neighbours The Wilberforce Trust and helped organise the purchase and delivery of an Easter egg donation. The donated eggs will be used in the charitable organisation’s yearly Easter Egg Hunt for children with visual and hearing impairments and their families.

Reflecting on the variety of work experience opportunities she has already completed and identifying her highlights, Shelby declared:

“I have liked trying these different jobs even if painting & decorating was a bit messy! My favourite so far was coming back to York College as I got to see my old tutors and some of my friends. I learnt a lot about different jobs and it was a fun day.”

Shelby’s achievements, resilience and commitment to making a difference were all cited as qualities that led to her winning the prestigious AoC Student of the Year award.

Her current campaign is highlighting the importance of giving people with additional needs an opportunity to gain meaningful work experience. 

She is now looking for more organisations who are willing to offer her short work experience opportunities and, in doing so, support an inspirational young person, while promoting inclusive employment and helping raise awareness of the value that diversity brings to the workplace.

Members of the public can also support Shelby’s efforts by donating to her chosen charities through her GiveWheel campaign, where every contribution helps fund organisations that support people with disabilities.

Shelby’s campaign reminds us that with the right support and community backing, young people can achieve incredible things whilst inspiring others along the way.