Those who touch our lives stay in our hearts forever…
After the incredibly sad loss of Samera Uddin in January, this article remembers her incredible life and the bonds that she built up in her job at Hilton London Metropole.
The DSA’s WorkFit programme has been operating since 2012 and over the years, everyone we have met and supported has left a lasting impression on the team and no-one more so than a young lady called Sammy.
Samera Uddin registered for WorkFit in August 2016 and started a permanent paid job at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel in London as a Commis Chef on 27 March, 2018.
From the first day, Sammy was a popular and hard-working member of the team, impressing everyone with her skills in the kitchen and her beautiful smile. It was clear to everyone that Sammy loved life and it loved her right back!
Her success in the role paved the way for other people who have Down’s syndrome to join the workforce at the Hilton London Metropole with support from WorkFit. In total, the team there, inspired by Sam, have welcomed a further four colleagues in the last 4 years. Two of them, Brogan and Shomari, are still there in permanent positions.
Brogan and Sammy developed a close friendship and supported each other both as great friends and dedicated colleagues in the workplace.
Sammy passed away on 24 January, 2022 and her loss has been keenly felt by her friends and colleagues at Hilton London Metropole and WorkFit, however we will never forget someone who gave us so much to remember.
Sammy will continue to be an inspiration in so many ways and her beautiful spirit will always stay with us, as will her legacy of empowering and inspiring people who have Down’s syndrome to achieve their career ambitions.
