My Dream Job is Camphill Communities of Ireland’s supported employment programme, helping people with intellectual disabilities explore their strengths, develop skills and experience meaningful opportunities in the world of work.
Through personalised career support, education, training, work experience and partnerships with inclusive employers, the programme supports each person to build confidence, independence and a pathway towards employment that reflects their individual goals.
Having the opportunity to work can play an important role in a person’s independence, confidence and connection with their community.
But finding the right path into employment is different for everyone.
My Dream Job is a person-centred employment programme delivered by Camphill Communities of Ireland. We work alongside participants to understand what they enjoy, what they are good at and what they would like their working life to look like.
For one person, that journey might begin by exploring different types of work. For another, it may involve developing practical skills, completing a training programme or gaining experience in a workplace. Someone else may already know the type of job they want and need support preparing applications, meeting employers or settling into their new role.
There is no single route through the programme.
Our Career & Employment Facilitators work with each participant to develop an individual pathway, providing practical guidance and encouragement as they move towards their own employment goals.
Individual employment plans tailored to every participant.
Creating opportunities for real jobs in real communities.
Supporting people before, during and after employment.
For many people, the journey towards employment begins long before the first job application. It can begin with discovering an interest, learning a new skill, gaining confidence in an unfamiliar environment, or simply having someone take the time to ask: “What would you like to do?”
My Dream Job is built around that question. The programme supports people with intellectual disabilities to explore their own employment ambitions and take practical steps towards achieving them. Rather than following one predetermined route, each participant’s journey is shaped around their interests, abilities, experience and aspirations.
For some people, this may begin with career exploration and developing workplace skills. For others, it may involve education, training, work experience or connecting directly with an employer. Through My Dream Job, Camphill Communities of Ireland works alongside participants to help turn those ambitions into real-world opportunities.
Across Camphill Communities of Ireland, people are supported to pursue meaningful lives built around choice, participation, relationships and personal development. Employment can be an important part of that journey. My Dream Job provides an additional pathway for people who would like to explore employment, education, vocational training or work experience as part of their wider personal goals.
Participants may already live in or receive support through Camphill, while the programme can also connect with people through wider pathways outside existing Camphill services where appropriate. The focus is not simply on finding an available job, but on understanding each person as an individual. This means exploring their interests, strengths, skills, ambitions, the type of environment that may suit them, and the support that could help them succeed.
With this understanding, Career & Employment Facilitators work alongside participants to identify realistic opportunities and support them in taking positive, practical steps towards employment.
A person’s experience within Camphill can provide a strong foundation for employment.
Everyday activities can build skills that are also valuable in workplaces: communication, teamwork, responsibility, creativity, problem-solving, time management, practical skills and independence.
My Dream Job helps participants recognise those abilities and explore how they might transfer into employment, training or further education.
The programme then helps create opportunities to put those skills into practice in real working environments.
Supporting people to live meaningful and connected lives.
Communities rooted in sustainability, creativity, and wellbeing.
Person-centred supports focused on independence and participation.
Communities, services, and supports across Ireland.
Everyone’s employment journey is different, but every journey begins with a conversation. Our structured Journey to Work Roadmap provides a flexible pathway that helps participants build confidence, develop skills and achieve sustainable employment through personalised support.
Getting to know the participant, their experiences and what they would like their future to look like.
Exploring strengths, interests, abilities and possible career directions.
Developing a personalised employment pathway and identifying achievable next steps.
Building confidence and accessing appropriate education, training and skills development.
Learning through work placements, social farming, employer visits and real-world experience.
Meeting employers and exploring opportunities within local communities.
Supporting the transition into meaningful employment when the right opportunity is found.
Providing ongoing support where appropriate and helping participants continue developing within employment.
Our dedicated Career & Employment Facilitators work alongside each participant to provide practical guidance, personalised coaching and opportunities that support long-term success in employment.