From Workshop to Workplace: Ashley’s Big Yellow Placement Journey

In the summer of 2025, Big Yellow colleagues opened the doors of their London King’s Cross store to Street League participants, hosting a CV and mock interview workshop designed to prepare young people for the world of work. For many of those in the room, it was their first opportunity to sit down with employers, ask questions in an informal setting and gain practical insight into what recruiters look for.

The workshop focused on building employability skills, helping participants refine their CVs and giving them the chance to practise interview techniques in a supportive environment. More importantly, it created space for honest conversations about confidence, career paths and the realities of starting out in work.

At the end of the session, Big Yellow colleagues shared their own journeys, spoke openly about their roles and explained what they enjoy about working for the company. Hearing these experiences directly from employees helped demystify the workplace and showed participants that there are many pathways into employment.

For some, the workshop was the spark they needed. Inspired by the openness of the team and the culture they had experienced, many participants decided to put themselves forward for the 12‑week paid work placements being offered by Big Yellow. Two were successful and, just a month later, began placements at London stores.

One of those young people was Ashley, who joined the team at Big Yellow’s West Norwood store.

Starting a new role can be daunting, particularly for those with limited work experience, and Ashley was no exception. Reflecting on his first few days, he shared:

“At the start of my placement, I felt excited but a little nervous as it was a new environment. I was keen to learn, meet new people, and gain real work experience. The team made me feel welcome straight away, which helped me settle in quickly.”

That early support proved crucial. Being welcomed into a friendly and inclusive team allowed Ashley to grow in confidence and focus on developing his skills. Over the following weeks, he took on new tasks, worked closely with colleagues and began interacting directly with customers, something that initially felt outside his comfort zone.

As the placement progressed, Ashley noticed a real shift in himself.

 “Towards the end of my placement, I feel confident, comfortable, and proud of what I’ve achieved. I feel more independent in my role and grateful for the support and guidance I received throughout my time at Big Yellow.”

For Ashley, the experience wasn’t just about learning the day‑to‑day responsibilities of working in a store. It was about belonging, being trusted and feeling valued as part of a team.

Mariola, The West Norwood Store Manager shared;

“Ashley was with us for 12 weeks, during his time here I found him to be a fantastic work placement. He was reliable, always on time and flexible with his rota, he would change his shift if needed to suit the needs of the business. His role involved assisting customers, checking and securing storage units, processing deliveries, maintaining store standards, and performing safety checks. Working closely with the team taught him the importance of teamwork, professionalism, and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment. Every day he learnt something new and always asked for feedback to see how he can enhance his knowledge.”

Ashley shared that his favourite part of working at Big Yellow was being “part of a friendly and supportive team and interacting with customers. I also enjoyed learning new tasks and being trusted with more responsibilities.”

Throughout the placement, Ashley developed a range of skills that will support him in his future career. From improving his communication and customer service skills to strengthening his teamwork and time management, the experience gave him a strong foundation to build on.

When asked what he is most proud of, his answer reflects the wider impact of the opportunity:

“I am most proud of the confidence I have gained and how much I have grown during the placement. I’m proud of the effort I put in, the skills I developed, and the positive contribution I made to the team.”

Since Ashley’s placement came to an end, he has been looking for work with the continued support of his Progressions Coordinator at Street League. He is due to enroll on an SIA license course which will enable him to apply for Security jobs and broaden his horizons.

Our partnership with Big Yellow Self Storage goes far beyond funding the work we do to support unemployed young people across the UK. By offering 12‑week paid work placements, Big Yellow Self Storage through The Big Yellow Foundation provides our young adults with valuable exposure to the world of work and the opportunity to develop key skills such as communication, teamwork and customer service. Many Street League participants join our programmes with little to no previous work experience, making these placements a crucial stepping stone in their personal development and the start of their career journeys.

Ashley’s journey is a powerful example of what can happen when young people are given meaningful opportunities, encouragement and the chance to prove themselves. We want to thank The Big Yellow Foundation and Big Yellow Self Storage colleagues for their continued support and for creating a safe environment where our young people can gain experience, build confidence and explore their career potential.

Jess Gatfield, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Street League