Member Article

Supporting people into employment in North Yorkshire

A scheme which helps people with disabilities to gain work experience has paid dividends for two Scarborough men, who now have permanent roles working for waste management company Yorwaste.

Last year, Yorwaste provided work experience opportunities – through North Yorkshire County Council’s supported employment service - for Andrew Welbourne and Daniel Chaplin.

Andrew, aged 30, and Daniel, aged 29, work at Yorwaste’s Material Recycling Facility at Seamer Carr, near Scarborough, where they work separating recyclable materials.

The pair impressed so much that Yorwaste recommended them to the employment agency, GI Group, who provide their staff and Andrew and Daniel now have permanent, paid roles at Seamer Carr.

Another man, Ricky Twose, has now also been referred to Yorwaste and is currently undertaking his work experience.

Andrew said: “I initially did two days a week as I wanted to get used to the work but after Christmas I added another day and I really enjoy it.

“The guys I work with are great and I would like to thank Yorwaste for giving me this start.”

Iain Ferguson, Yorwaste’s Seamer Carr Site Manager, said: “Andrew and Daniel were more than worthy of becoming paid staff, so we are delighted they have remained with us after their work experience ended.

“They have fitted in really well and we now hope to build on this further by working with North Yorkshire County Council to provide more opportunities for local people who have struggled to gain employment experience.

“It gives them a chance to meet new people, get used to the working environment and its demands, without any pressure, and hopefully then become a permanent part of the team.”

Leanne Arnell, North Yorkshire County Council’s Supported Employment Officer, said: “Andrew and Daniel settled in very quickly, which is excellent as it’s not always easy for people with disabilities to go into a new environment like this.

“Yorwaste have been very supportive and flexible, allowing Andrew and Daniel to work slightly different hours initially as they got used to the roles, which was a really positive reasonable adjustment.

“In Ricky’s case, he is hearing impaired and British Sigh Language is his first language, so when he started, Yorwaste were happy to facilitate an interpreter, which has really helped breakdown potential communication barriers.

“Andrew, Daniel and Ricky are great example of the impact the supported employment service can have, and we are looking forward to working with Yorwaste to explore more opportunities in the future.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Neil Shaefer .