Mary used to face frequent challenges with regulating her emotions and socialising with others. This affected the relationships she had with her peers and her attendance when she first joined MINDS’ Idea Employment Development Centre (IEDC), a sheltered workshop supported by Community Chest.

Mary’s journey to gainful employment in the mainstream workforce was made possible through the support of her father, as well as the help of IEDC’s team of psychologists, training officers and allied health professionals. Over the years, the dedicated team worked to identify potential positions most suitable for Mary while providing guidance, counselling and intervention strategies to improve her vocational skills and lifestyle habits. In recent years, they saw a significant shift in Mary’s behaviour and social skills.

Today, Mary earns a monthly salary as a full-time cleaner, a position attained through MINDS’ Open Employment programme. Outside of work, Mary enjoys playing the guitar, art and craft, cooking, and working out in the gym. It is her hope to live independently and provide for her father in the near future.

Find out more about other adults with disabilities and social service users that we support.