Martin Bates

Age – 36

Position – Disability Support Worker

Time in role – Nearly four months as an employee. I started in February this year.

What do you like most about your role and CDS? Being in a role where I can make a difference to people’s lives. I wanted a hands-on role after being a linker with CareWest in a previous life. I love being able to help people achieve their goals and develop relationships.

Why are you working in this industry? I want to help people and I love seeing a smile on their face. I have had personal experience with disability in my family and it gives me great satisfaction. Inspiring the clients to be the best they can be.

If you weren’t in this industry what would you be doing? I’d be a fulltime apiarist (beekeeper).

What is the greatest myth in this industry? Public perception that disabled people can’t do things when this is not true. They have skills that can be realised with training and encouragement. Autism (which I also have) especially is seen as troublesome and that isn’t always the way. I am working here despite having it and Einstein was also autistic.

If you were CEO for a day what would you change first? More resources would be great but I know Jeff and the board have already started that process.