Last week, we were delighted to host Kaylib, a student from Angmering Sixth Form, for a tailored work experience placement at our Lancing office.
As a Disability Confident Employer, Agena is committed to removing barriers and creating opportunities for people with disabilities. Kaylib’s placement is a reflection of that commitment in action — not just in policy, but in practice.
Kaylib, who is blind (his preferred term), made a lasting impression on everyone he met. Demonstrating remarkable independence, he confidently navigated the office environment and attended the final two days of his placement unaided — a testament to both his character and the inclusive culture we strive to foster across the Agena Group.
This was a truly collaborative effort, with colleagues from multiple departments offering their time, insight, and encouragement. Our thanks go to Stella Buckingham and Joshua Potts for their outstanding coordination, and to Rebecca Bawden for her continued support in making initiatives like this possible.
Kaylib’s time with us was not only an opportunity for him to gain valuable workplace experience, but also a rewarding and enriching experience for our team. He even provided constructive suggestions to improve our appeals process — ideas we’ll be reviewing and feeding back in due course.
We’re proud to partner with schools like Angmering Sixth Form to help inspire the next generation, and we remain committed to providing meaningful opportunities that reflect our values of accessibility, inclusion and continuous learning.
Read the interview to hear more from Kaylib in his own words.
How have you found your first experience in an office environment? Has anything surprised you?
I’ve found it really interesting, actually. One thing that surprised me is how relaxed and flexible things are. I had this idea that office environments would be really strictly structured — people clocking in and out at set times, following rigid routines. But here, it feels much more fluid. People come and go depending on their schedules, but they still get their work done. That flexibility was unexpected, but in a good way. It seems to reflect a more modern approach to work culture, where trust and productivity matter more than just being present at a desk.
What kind of tasks or activities have you enjoyed this week?
One of the tasks I found surprisingly enjoyable was reviewing some appeals documentation. I was asked to go through the content and suggest ways to make it clearer or easier to understand. I enjoyed the challenge of simplifying things — making sure the language wasn’t confusing and that we were removing any barriers for the people reading it. It felt good to be able to contribute in that way, especially knowing how important clear communication is in this kind of work.
Have there been any challenges you’ve had to navigate, and how did you overcome them?
Yes, one of the main challenges for me was getting familiar with the layout of the building and figuring out how to move around independently. I actually came in last week just for that reason — to get a feel for the place and make sure I could navigate it comfortably. Taking that extra time really helped me feel more prepared for this week. Even so, it’s easy to get turned around — I’ve been told that even people who’ve worked here for a couple of years still take the wrong turn now and then!
How did your first day compare to how you’re feeling now?
It’s definitely changed. At the beginning of the week, I felt a bit unsettled, just getting used to the environment and how things work. But compared to a year ago, I’ve made huge progress. Back then, if I’d done a placement like this, I don’t think I’d have been nearly as confident or as comfortable. So I’m really proud of how far I’ve come. The first day had its nerves, but things settled quite quickly.
What’s something new you’ve learned about how businesses work?
I hadn’t realised just how much day-to-day communication happens between different departments. It’s not as formal or structured as I expected — often it’s just someone turning around at their desk to ask a quick question or solve a problem. The collaboration feels very natural and unforced, and that’s something I didn’t expect. It’s shown me that effective teamwork doesn’t always need to be formalised — sometimes just a quick chat is enough to keep things moving smoothly.
Have any particular people or teams made an impression on you this week?
Yes, definitely. Everyone has been really welcoming and open, which has made a big difference. For example, when I was listening in on some calls earlier in the week, the team made sure to explain what was happening and check that I was following along. Then, when I worked on the appeals content, they genuinely wanted my input — they were keen to hear what I thought and were very open to suggestions. That kind of encouragement has been really motivating.
Has your time here inspired you to explore a certain type of job or industry in the future?
It hasn’t pointed me towards a very specific job or sector just yet, but it has definitely changed the way I feel about office work. Before this week, I was pretty sure that an office job wasn’t for me — I thought it would be boring or too repetitive. But now I see that it can actually be engaging and varied, depending on the people and the type of work. I wouldn’t say I’m fully sold on it, but I’m definitely more open to the idea than I was before.
What would you tell your friends about your time here so far?
I’d probably tell them that a lot of the stereotypes around car park companies — and the people who work in them — aren’t really accurate. I think people assume it’s all just about issuing fines and dealing with complaints, and that everyone involved must be really strict or unapproachable. But that’s not what I’ve seen here at all. The people are friendly, open, and fair. They take their work seriously, but they also want to do the right thing, and that’s not something I expected to say about a car park management company!
How did the team support you during your time with us? Was there anything we could have done better?
Honestly, I think the support has been really good so far. This week wasn’t my first time in the office — I’d been in twice before, once for an introduction to the technology and layout, and once for some early awareness with another team. That extra time helped a lot. Everyone I’ve worked with has been helpful and made sure I understood what was going on. Joshua and Stella, in particular, have been really supportive and checked in regularly to make sure everything was going smoothly. I can’t think of anything that’s been missing so far.
