Head WEST for opportunity
A countywide service is now available to help more people with learning disabilities into work.
Warwickshire County Council launched WEST, Warwickshire Employment Support Team, at an event held at the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.
The WEST team were joined by people who use the service, benefits advisors, local employers, and representatives from local colleges. The focus of WEST is to support people into paid employment. Whether it’s an hour a week or a full-time job, the benefits to both the individual and the employer are enormous.
Roger Painter from ‘Valuing People Now’, the government’s strategy to support people with learning disabilities into paid employment, opened the event.
Roger said: “Recent surveys show that big employers know that people with learning disabilities make good employees who are reliable and dependable. Statistics show that over 65% of people with learning disabilities want to work, but only 7% are actually in employment. To increase this number, attitudes and services need to change.”
“The launch of WEST is the first step on the journey towards doing this.” he added.
Jason Mann was supported by the service to gain paid employment at Twycross Zoo. He said: “Working at Twycross has changed my life, I love my job and I am now confident to travel on my own as well. It is great to know that WEST are always on the end of the phone if I have any problems.”
Barbara Chawner, Head of Human Resources at Twycross said: “Jason is an excellent employee, whose skills and confidence have grown enormously in the time that he has been with us. Having the support of WEST has been extremely helpful and it is good to know they are always on hand if we need them.”
If you would like to contact WEST please call 02476 385 200.