Alwyn's career in services for people with learning disabilities started in day-services approximately 12 years ago, working with people with varying needs. Initially Alwyn worked alongside people in craft sessions, later changing to supporting service users to operate computers. Alwyn's interest in employment opportunities for service users led her to become involved in developing a social firm, aimed at employing people with learning disabilities to train staff in the area of disability discrimination. Alwyn also had an interest in NVQ awards so she undertook the D32, D33 and D34 units which allowed her to assess and verify NVQ awards within the care sector at levels 2, 3 and 4, the registered Management Award and the NEBS Management Award. With Alwyn's progression through the workforce it was necessary for her to gain the NVQ Level 4 Management Award.