A Cardiff jobseeker is celebrating after becoming the 300th recruit to start work after receiving help from Remploy's Cardiff branch.
Deborah Mansell, from the Riverside area of the city, has joined BBC Wales as a departmental team assistant, helping to co-ordinate training and development for staff working in the Production Unit at the Llandaff site, as part of the BBC's Extend scheme for disabled people.
It's a fresh start for Deborah, who has started her first full time job after graduating from university in 2006.
Deborah, 23, started having seizures during her second year of studying and was diagnosed with a Non Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD) earlier this year. Having undergone various tests and assessments, doctors advised her that the seizures couldn't be controlled with medicine. She continued with her studies and successfully completed her degree in Deaf Studies and the seizures have since become less frequent. However, she still has to walk with a stick some of the time, and still needs support in the workplace to be able to work full time.
Deborah was aware that support was available for people with disabilities and health conditions and after walking past Remploy's branch in Golate Street she decided to take a step inside.
Deborah explains: "I took a chance and went into Remploy's branch - I wasn't quite sure what help they would be able to provide as I was looking for graduate entry level jobs.
"I couldn't have been more surprised! The help and support I received was exceptional - from helping to put my CV together to providing assistance with job searches - without Remploy's help I'm sure things would have turned out differently."
Working with Remploy's specialist employment advisor, Colin Whitely, Deborah was informed of positions that were available at BBC Wales's headquarters in Llandaff through the company's Extend scheme.
She continued: "I applied for this position and was over the moon when I was notified that I had been successful."
Deborah now works full time and supports the day-to-day administration of training for the Production Unit at BBC Wales. She has also taken the initiative and is currently developing a training section for BBC Wales's intranet site.
She added: "Colin has been an absolute star! He has helped me with the whole process of looking for jobs to actually starting work at the BBC. I am comfortable in the knowledge that ongoing support from both Remploy and the BBC is available should I need it.
"I am so pleased to be working within the media sector - it's my passion and I simply don't know if I would be doing this job without the help and support of Remploy. I would definitely recommend others to call on Remploy's support to help them find a job they love."
Remploy is the UK's leading provider of specialist employment services to people who experience complex barriers to work and last year found jobs in mainstream employment for 6,500 people with a range of disabilities.
By 2012 Remploy will be finding 20,000 jobs each year for people with disabilities and health conditions.
Extend is a BBC-wide work placement scheme. It offers appropriately experienced and / or qualified disabled people a great opportunity to gain six months paid work experience within the BBC.
Disabled job seekers and employers are invited to call in at the Cardiff branch, which is in Golate Street and open from 9am to 5pm Monday - Friday, or call 0845 155 2568.