When Geoffrey first joined Jigsaw Brisbane in 2021, he was incredibly quiet—often speaking only a few words at a time. Accompanied by his own support worker, he found it difficult to stay for a full day.
But from those early beginnings, Geoffrey has gone on to achieve remarkable personal and professional growth. With steady support and a flexible, work-based training environment at Jigsaw, Geoffrey gradually built up the confidence to attend full days independently.
As Geoffrey grew sure of his own skills, he gradually took on additional tasks at Jigsaw. He became a regular contributor to the monthly newsletter, writing engaging updates for the “Skill of the Month” segment. His articulate and thoughtful writing resonated with trainees and families alike. He wrote about topics including workplace relationships, communication, respect, and teamwork, and his segment in the newsletter reflected both his impressive writing skills and his deep understanding of the Jigsaw curriculum.
In addition to nailing the curriculum, Geoffrey also made strides in his own personal growth. His growth in independence, social engagement, and confidence has been inspiring for his colleagues and trainers to witness. Once too anxious to interact with others, he has since “come out of his shell”, becoming known around the office for his fun, daily rotation of colourful socks, which he wears with the intention of sparking conversations and smiles among his colleagues.
In 2024, Geoffrey’s hard work and perseverance finally paid off. Through his participation at Jigsaw, he was selected to work on a short-term project at Queensland State Archives, receiving positive recognition for his contributions. Shortly after, he achieved a major milestone: securing a Paid Trainee position at Jigsaw.
As Geoffrey put it, “My goal for a long time was to be hired into an office job that makes good use of my strengths and thankfully that has happened.”
As a Paid Trainee, Geoffrey split his time between the Jigsaw Mount Gravatt office and the Allianz Brisbane office, doing work for Allianz through a Jigsaw contract. His skills and professionalism continued to grow, and his confidence soared.
Fast forward to today, and Geoffrey now proudly holds a permanent position as a Claims Support Officer at Allianz, and has graduated from Jigsaw. He works three days a week at their Brisbane office and has continued expanding his capabilities, taking on new tasks and responsibilities with enthusiasm.
“My time at Jigsaw has helped me grow in confidence and skills and has shown me that I am more capable than I thought I could be before,” Geoffrey shared. “I thoroughly enjoy working for Allianz, and I’m grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way.”
Geoffrey’s journey is a powerful example of what can happen when inclusive employment pathways, individual determination, and the right support come together. We are proud to have been a part of his journey, and can’t wait to see what he achieves next.
Story written by Geoffrey, with editing support from the Jigsaw team.