Rebuilding Confidence Through New Opportunities: Jolan’s Story

At Big Yellow Self Storage, we are proud to support people rebuilding confidence and independence through the work of The Big Yellow Foundation and our partnership with Back Up Trust. Jolan, a former maths teacher, sustained a spinal cord injury in 2020 and faced many challenges adjusting to life after injury. After discovering Back Up through social media, she attended a multi-activity course in Devon where she developed new wheelchair skills, built confidence and connected with others facing similar experiences. With support from Back Up’s Vocational Services team, Jolan was later offered a supported work placement with Big Yellow Self Storage, helping her take an important step back into employment.

During her placement, Jolan supported the team with customer enquiries and sales, gaining valuable customer service experience while exploring a completely new working environment. As a UK brand leader with more than 30 years operational experience, Big Yellow gave Jolan the opportunity to build confidence in a supportive environment while learning new skills alongside dedicated teams on site. Through flexible storage solutions, strong security and stores open 7 days a week, the placement also gave her valuable insight into how Big Yellow supports customers and small businesses across the country. The experience helped Jolan recognise the skills she could bring back into employment and renewed her confidence for the future.

“The support from Back Up and Big Yellow helped me believe in myself again. I did not know what I would be able to do after my injury, but now I feel like I have a future I can shape.” 

The Big Yellow Foundation works with charity partners supporting vulnerable people, such as ex-offenders, refugees, ex-service personnel and people living with disabilities to find employment and create a better future for themselves.