Labour MEP candidate Anneliese Dodds has called for more employers in the South East to offer supported employment to people with disabilities.
Anneliese made the appeal after visiting ableandwilling, a supported employer partly funded by Brighton and Hove City Council, which champions equal opportunities and access into the work place. Anneliese visited ableandwilling, in Hangleton, on Wednesday, May 7, accompanied by council candidates Chris Henry and Nigel Jenner. The social enterprise employs twenty staff members from across Sussex, ninety percent of who have a disability.
She said: “It has been fantastic to discover how well ‘supported employment’ works here in Hove at ableandwilling. ableandwilling are great champions for equal access to employment for disabled people.
“Not only is providing supported employment for disabled people required by European law, it’s also the right thing to do.
“It has been really inspiring to witness first-hand how one company is making such a big difference to many disabled peoples’ lives. In the future, we need to see more companies offering supported employment in the South East”.
Jeff White, the manager at ableandwilling, explained the variety of production work undertaken by staff, including embroidery, printing, and assembly.
They went on to demonstrate some current work projects, including the creation of tea coasters and mugs for local artists and musicians, large fabric printing for sizeable companies’ staff uniforms, promotional wear, and the production of advertising banners.
Jeff added: “People working here are recommended through SCOPE, and interviewed before being placed on a six month contract with us. I believe ableandwilling makes a huge difference to the lives of our employees, empowering them with the dignity of full time work, and welcoming them into a safe and supportive environment.
“Our aim is to equip our employees with the skills and training, to allow them to progress into a full time career once they leave us. Our work force are fantastic, producing items of consistently high quality, which leave our customers across both public and private sectors extremely satisfied.”
For more information about ableandwilling, CLICK HERE:
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