As Scope marks its 75th anniversary, we highlight the stories of the people who make Scope the organisation it is today. We sat down with Paul Elliott to hear about his extensive career and contribution to the organisation.
Supported Employee Paul Elliot is warm, friendly and one of those people that brings a smile to everyone’s face at just the mention of his name. Everyone in NSW knows and loves Paul. It makes sense that he would be stationed at reception, ready to welcome visitors as they arrive at Scope's Kingsgrove office and the packaging solutions office in Mascot.
Paul has been with the organisation for over 15 years, technically 22 years, but he left for a short stint to work with another employer before returning. Something his managers now, years later, jest that they told him would happen.
When Paul started at Scope, he worked in Packaging Solutions. That was okay, but soon enough Paul felt like more of a challenge and a role where he would get to talk to more people. Paul told his Employment Consultant at the time that reception was where he really wanted to be.
To start with, he was given two days a week at Mascot in the factory reception. It was a small room and his shifts mostly consisted of answering the phone and taking enquires. He knew quickly that he wanted to be around more people, Paul remembers that the room he worked in was out of the way and hidden, not really his style.
Not long after he started on the phones, Paul asked for a job at the Kingsgrove office so he could be the face that welcomed people as they arrived. When a position came up, he was trained for this broader roll. In the almost 10 years since, his time has been split between working front desk at Kingsgrove and Mascot.
Paul is truly an all-rounder these days. His duties include invoicing, scanning mail and writing out birthday cards. He is always ready to jump in, lend a hand or take on a job if someone is on leave or sick. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he stepped in and took attendance at Mascot which involved taking temperatures and making sure everyone was signed in for the day.
Paul says he really likes his job. He’s a self-confessed data nerd, saying that data entry is one of the highlights for him – a close second being the people he works with. To say Paul is a people person, is an understatement!
Paul has been an employee through some huge sector changes. He remembers interviewing with a Sydney radio station when the NDIS was being rolled out and advocating for more funding for Employment Pathways. Throughout the changes, there has always been a real sense of stability within Paul’s roles. With his tenacious attitude and willingness to give anything a go, the opportunities have been varied and numerous.
Looking forward, Paul wants to stay in reception and continue to upskill. He already has two certificates under his belt but is hungry for more! The past few years have seen him dabble in public speaking, something that he has enjoyed and thinks he could do more of. Something that surprises no one that knows him, everyone will tell you that he loves a chat.
Next time you’re at our offices in NSW make sure to say hi to Paul, that’s if he doesn’t say hi to you first!
As we celebrate 75 years of empowering lives, Denise West, General Manager CIRC National Services, takes us on a journey through the origins of Scope's Communication and Inclusion Resource Centre (CIRC) and the remarkable impact it's had on the disability community.
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