Helping the disabled on way back to work (From Swindon Advertiser)

Helping the disabled on way back to work

6:50pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in News By Katie Bond

FINDING the right job isn’t easy for anyone. And for people with a disability or a health condition, it can be even more daunting.

But yesterday the Mayor of Swindon, coun Ray Ballman officially opened a new office for Pluss, a social enterprise supporting thousands of people with disabilities into employment each year.

Based in Curtis Court in Commercial Road, Pluss will play a vital role in supporting people all over the town with a disability or a health condition to find a job and develop a career they can be proud of.

Mel Phillips, 22, works as a waitress at the Kembrey Inn. She is deaf and communicates by lip reading and signing.

She said: “Pluss helped me get my first proper job. I had only had Christmas jobs before and I was scared.

“I was a bit worried about how people would take to me. But everyone is used to me now, and we have a laugh and a joke. The customers love me.

“They try and put me on shift if they know they have deaf customers. Recently we had three deaf customers and I was able to tell what they were saying.”

Mel’s boss Andy Mundy said: “Mel is a very hard worker, she has really come out of her shell and is an integral part of the team.”

Pluss supports about 50 clients in the town and works with more than 25 of Swindon’s employers.

The team has experienced supported employment practitioners and includes a manager, consultants and job coaches who can support clients in the workplace to help them achieve their potential.

Consultant Sarah Smith said: “We follow the aspirations of what the person is looking for, it could be retail, car manufacturing, admin, sales, or product development.

“It is a rewarding job and challenging, especially breaking down the initial barriers with the employers, but they do become supportive.”

For more information visit www.pluss.org.uk.