A new employability base has opened at Lochshore Hub to help disabled people find work in North Ayrshire.
The £5 million project will support disabled people to get jobs and keep them. It will also cover the rest of Scotland.
The hub was officially opened this week by Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville. She met the team and some of the people who have already signed up for help to start a new career.
The hub will not only support disabled people to find the right job, but it will also give advice to companies on how to create jobs that are suitable for people with disabilities.
Ms Somerville said that when barriers are removed and the right support is in place, disabled people can succeed at work. She explained that disabled people bring unique skills and perspectives that can strengthen the economy.
She also said the Government wants to make sure disabled people all over Scotland can get the same specialist support.
During her visit, the Minister met Hev Clift, 26, from Irvine. Hev has generalised anxiety disorder and autism, and said applying for jobs was very difficult before getting help.
Hev said: “I have generalised anxiety disorder and I am autistic, so the social element of applying for jobs was a struggle for me. When I started with Equal, I struggled with applying for jobs and my transition from full-time study to the workplace was non-existent.
“Equal have been amazing and I can’t praise them enough for how they champion people with additional support needs I am honoured to have worked with the team. They uplift you and see your strengths – not barriers. They helped me to not only find a job, but a job where I feel part of the team and supported in a company that cares about employee wellbeing and the environment.”
The Equal Programme, which will now run in the Garnock Valley, gives people hands-on work experience in areas like gardening and bike maintenance.
Matthew Wright
