My A4e - Steve Williamson, Plymouth

Hi Emma,

You may remember me (please see the copy below of the email I sent to you May 6th 2008), Steve Williamson (PPA) from your A4e Pathways Plymouth office. I just wanted to send you another email to say what a fantastic Official Opening Day that I and my colleagues of YOUR FANTASTIC COMPANY had today here in Plymouth.

I was asked to get up on stage and tell my story to our guests today, and although I am no stranger to talking at seminars and public functions, today I was extremely nervous. I prepared a two page speech but when I looked out at the people who stood before me I decided to take off my glasses, put away my paper and speak from the heart. I could never have done this without the support of my colleagues and management, and after I got down from the stage I was even more nervous and somewhat shaken up, but I felt so proud to be a part of A4e Pathways.

As yet, I have not had the pleasure of meeting you, though I hope that will change in time. I feel proud and honoured to be part of such a wonderful caring company, I have at times found the going tough, but that is part of the job and the challenge that we all face from time to time, but with the support received from my colleagues and management, I have managed to get through those challenging times. Everyday at A4e Pathways is a different day, every customer is unique and the feeling that we experience when helping our customers is nothing short of fantastic.

I will endeavour to hone my skills as time moves forward, and with the team we have here in Plymouth I know there is only one way to go, that of forward and upward! It is with PRIDE that I work alongside my colleagues with the aim to “Improve People’s Lives”.

A4e Pathways has changed my life for the better and has given me back my pride and self esteem, something some of us, at times, tend to loose by the wayside. When you have the time (and I appreciate that time is a valuable commodity in your life) to reflect on this monumental success that you have named A4e Pathways, rest assured, that as we work for you each day, we do it with pride and respect, I for one, and I know that I speak for my colleagues also, when I say how much pleasure is felt when telling our customers about the dream that you have turned into a success story, that which is A4e Pathways!
Kindest regards

Steve Williamson
PPA Plymouth

Copy of mail from May 6th


I have been doing a little ‘A4e’ reading during my weekend off and I can honestly say that you are an inspiration to so many people. I remember some months ago, saying to myself how much I would like to be a part of your company. Here then is my brief story………..

I began by visiting A4e Pathways (Plymouth) as a voluntary customer back in January of this year. I was guided (yes guided, and by a genuine caring man) along the road to finding employment within the Plymouth area. I have several disabilities that affect my day to day living (pain mostly due to Arthritis and neck/spinal injury) and were wandering how I was going to find an employer who would understand and take me on, for what I could do, and for what I had to offer. I attended the JCP in Plymouth late 2007 and was told about A4e, I asked to be put forward as a voluntary customer.

My first appointment was in January of this year. I was so impressed by the way both my wife and I were treated, that I wrote a letter to the Plymouth Office in which I thanked them for what turned out to be, a warm and welcoming experience. I also enquired about the possibility of applying for a position at the Plymouth office; I received a reply from Mike Snook thanking me for my letter. Unfortunately there were no vacancies at that time, however undeterred I waited for about a week or so (‘never let the water go cold, unless you want iced tea’ I didn’t, I wanted something hot!). When I attended my appointment on Friday morning, I told my Employment Coach Vic Goldsmith that I was going to send my C.V. into the office again. As I was talking to Vic, his boss Lou Beechgood was walking by, Vic introduced me to her and I seized the opportunity to ask about applying for a job. She asked me to send in my C.V. and she would take a look. I wanted to catch her attention so I used bullet points in the form of the A4e logo (as I had done so previously), I know that was not the reason for being granted an interview, but I like to think it showed some intuition. I was invited for an interview; this was followed by a second interview after which I was offered a position as a PPA at Plymouth. I began with your company on April 3rd 2008 and am extremely proud to be a member of your team here in Plymouth.

I wanted to tell you first hand that I take pleasure in being a member of the A4e Pathways experience. My colleagues are wonderful, friendly and a pleasure to work with, all members of District support have been wonderful in welcoming me into the company, I couldn’t have wished for better colleagues and management. I have never known such wonderful, friendly people. I know it is your policy to create a workplace that reflects a welcoming, helpful and supportive environment. Having been both a customer and now a member of the A4e Pathways team, I know what it feels like to be on both sides of the fence. I use my experience as a customer, to break down any pre-existing barriers that my customers may have, when they meet with me for their first WFI. It really does help knowing that I was once in their position, and as a volunteer customer at that!

Kindest Regards

Steve Williamson
PPA Plymouth