Care village jobs for people with disabilities

A PARTNERSHIP between a Warrington-based care village and a specialist employment services provider will create more jobs for people with disabilities and long-term health conditions.
The new initiative between care operator Belong and Remploy, which provides support for people who face complex barriers to employment, is already paying dividends with jobs for local people. Belong operates care villages throughout the region, including one in Loushers Lane, Warrington, where 10 disabled people supported by Remploy have got jobs supporting the village’s 70 residents.
Phil Orton, head of people at Belong, said: “We operate a unique model of
care and we’re always looking for the right people to help us deliver a broad range of services to our residents.
“Remploy has given us access to people who are both motivated and
committed, and highly suitable for the jobs we offer. The fact that some of our new employees have disabilities or health conditions is irrelevant – each one has proved they are capable of contributing to the lives of our residents and to our organisation.”
As part of the agreement, Remploy has delivered a two-week course designed to offer disabled jobseekers a detailed insight into the demands of the care sector, including working with people with dementia and assisting them with their day-to-day needs and activities.
Carl Bashford, aged 28 from Warrington is one of the first to have completed the training.
He is partially sighted and has been unemployed for four years.
“I’ve tried very, very hard to get a job but it’s been an uphill struggle, “ he said.
“ I want to work and so really value this opportunity. Remploy’s course gave me an insight into caring and I was able to approach my job
interview knowing what would be expected of me. I was successful and I’ve just joined Belong as a host, where my role is to help residents maintain independence and support them as they prepare meals.”
Alongside Carl is Belong host Jessica Barker, 21, from Orford.
She said: “My dyslexia and inability to stay focused because of my ADHD meant that, for the past two years, I was unable to get a job. I have really struggled with filling in application forms, so knowing that Remploy understood my problems was a real help. Now, I’m really enjoying having a job that’s very hands-on and practical – I’m good at that and it’s something I can do. Making a difference to other peoples’ lives is really making a difference to mine.”