Gemma’s success paves the way for more jobs for disabled people
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A young Sheffield woman is paving the way for more jobs for disabled people in the city, thanks to a new partnership between Sheffield Homes and specialist recruitment firm, Remploy Interwork.
Twenty three year old Gemma Hale from Gleadless is a lifelong wheelchair user with top notch IT skills to add to her clutch of academic and business qualifications.
Thanks to the support of Remploy Interwork and the foresight of Sheffield Homes, Gemma has just bagged her first full time job as a purchasing clerk in the company’s central ordering department – and she’s loving it!
“I knew when I was studying I would have obvious barriers to overcome in trying to get into the mainstream workplace,” said Gemma, “but I was always determined to get a job, so thought, right – I’ll just get on with it!
“I didn’t know about Remploy Interwork then, but they made everything so much easier as they match your skills up with employers’ needs. I had a six week placement here earlier this year and, luckily, Sheffield Homes liked me as much as I liked them!”
“Gemma’s our first full time disabled employee to come to us through this route and I’m sure she won’t be the last,” said Sheffield Homes’ Human Resources Director, Julia Matthews.
“We now have an excellent, on-going working relationship with Remploy Interwork that can only go from strength to strength, for everyone’s benefit.”
Remploy Interwork is the recruitment arm of Remploy Ltd, the UK’s largest provider of jobs for disabled people. Last year, it placed into employment more than 3,500 people with physical, mental and sensory disabilities or health conditions. For more information about how Remploy Interwork can help people find jobs call 0845 845 2211.
The company, which celebrates it Diamond Jubilee this year, is also a major employer in its own right through its own business divisions but is increasingly working with outside employers in a bid to achieve its vision of helping disabled people gain greater economic independence through work.
“Gemma is yet another success story for Remploy Interwork in our quest to find employers like Sheffield Homes with some foresight,” said Remploy’s John Fletcher. ”They were fully supportive right from the start and are optimistic that other disabled people will benefit.
They’re a beacon for other employers in the city to look at ability rather than disability and consider the vast pool of talent out there.”
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Editor’s Notes
- Remploy Interwork’s specialist recruitment and retention services are used in partnership with other Remploy businesses and nearly 3,000 companies – including Asda, BT, IBM and Northern Rock – to provide skilled employees for all sectors across the public and private sector.
- Sheffield Homes manages all council owned properties within the city, and is overseeing the £1billion investment programme to bring them up to the government’s Decent Homes Standard by 2010It achieved the maximum 3 star rating in a government inspection.
Press Contact: Neil Anderson 01142 257080 (office) or 07779 292212 (mobile)