Ben attended an A4e Job Search Support Contract programme and undertook Finding and Getting a Job with Learning Links.

He appeared shy and reserved; he also found it difficult to engage with the group.

He informed the tutor that he had been advised to look for security work as there were some vacancies in this area.

Ben’s main barrier to work was a lack of self confidence as well as not knowing the best way to promote himself

After the tutor got to know Ben through the work programmes and Job Search Support Modules it transpired that he was a world champion at Jurassic Jumping and had several newspaper articles written about him.

He had only been able to find voluntary work and unpaid promotional work

He was also very involved in giving public demonstrations of Jurassic Jumping to promote this innovative sport and was involved with raising £5000 for Children in Need.

Ben had been working with Inbiz to design a website to promote his skills but he had not found paid work.

Ben’s main barrier to work was a lack of self confidence as well as not knowing the best way to promote this unique and relatively unknown sport.

After the tutor discovered that he was at the top of his field and had evidence of his work, the tutor suggested that he should take a trip to the local Butlins on the South Coast as well as other entertainment providers locally and jump around the reception area on his Jurassic Stilts until the entertainment teams could see him.

I can’t wait to finally earn money

Ben took on board what was advised and said that he left Learning Links with a far more positive attitude.

A few days after leaving Learning Links Ben called to say that he had taken the advice given and had visited Butlins at Bognor Regis and showed them what he could do and they really enjoyed it.

They offered him a position with the Skyline team on his stilts to start a month later on a six month contract living on site.

Ben said ‘I can’t wait to finally earn money in employment whilst enjoying myself at the same time’