A Hessle woman has just discovered she has more than one reason to celebrate. Not only has she just started a new job with Hull's Hugh Rice Jewellers, 35-year-old Emma Loughlin is also Remploy's 300th candidate to get a job since the specialist employment services opened its branch in the city less than two years ago.
Remploy supports people with disabilities and health conditions, and partners with companies in a broad range of sectors to help employers fill their vacancies with skilled and motivated people.
Emma, who has arthritis, was forced to resign from her previous job two years ago because of her deteriorating health. However, when her condition finally stabilised, her first objective was to get back into work.
"I found it more difficult than I had ever imagined, with many employers using my health history as a reason not to give me a chance," said Emma. "However, everything changed when I visited Jobcentre Plus in Hessle. Their disability employment advisor, Sue Skelton, was really encouraging and she referred me for specialist support from Remploy."
"It was clear that Remploy was the right organisation to help Emma and they quickly proved their case," added Sue.
Emma signed up to a Remploy development course designed to build her confidence, help her write an effective CV, and give her the interview practice and experience she needed to convince employees she had the right mix of skills.
Aware of a sales assistant vacancy at Hugh Rice Jewellers, Remploy's advisors knew that Emma would be the ideal candidate. She was interviewed and offered the job soon afterwards, has now completed her first training course in jewellery, and is about to move to the company's retail store in Beverley.
"We're really pleased that Emma was so successful, and so quickly - it was clear to us all that she meant business," said Remploy's Oliver Smith. "We're also proud to notch up so many successful candidates. Remploy's partnership with Jobcentre Plus and employers throughout the city such as Hugh Rice Jewellers is proving to be a winning combination - 300 disabled people's lives have been transformed through work as a result."