What flex do you have?

I work fulltime hours, mostly from home. I aim to go to the office in Livingston once a week, travelling by train and taxi to connect with colleagues, meet people face-to-face and to collaborate.

How did this flex come about?

ILF is happy to talk flexible working from the outset because that’s how we work. We want all new colleagues to be at their best by ensuring they have life balance, so my regular home working was agreed as I joined.

It was a real adjustment as to how flexible I could be. But the trust and confidence pays off because we have such an engaged, loyal and motivated team of amazing people all focused on doing their very best for our recipients, which is why we are here.

What does this flex allow you to do outside of work?

Working from home most of the time is ideal for me because I don’t lose time commuting to the office, which can also be tiring, and I can work around appointments, or take a break if I need to, and finish tasks later.

Such flexibility allows me to manage my disability. But it allows me to work too, and that’s hugely important. My body might be a bit broken but my brain functions just fine. If I couldn’t work flexibly, it would be very difficult to work at all.

Physically going to the office once a week is also really beneficial. I enjoy speaking to colleagues face-to-face but it’s equally important to challenge myself personally and travel independently. It’s made a real difference to my mental health and wellbeing.

What does your flex mean for your work and home life overall?

The anxiety I experience as a disabled person can be overwhelming at times so to find a professional opportunity where I can make a contribution and have the opportunity to add real value is as reassuring as it is rewarding.