A former foundry worker, who has been out for work for the past 18 months, is forging a new career in retailing. And it's all thanks to the support he's received from Remploy, which provides specialist employment services for people with disabilities and health condition, working in partnership with leading retailer ASDA.
John Hazard, who's 57 and lives in Hendon, has just joined the team at ASDA's South Shields store as part of the home delivery department, which assembles internet shopping orders ready for despatching to customers throughout the region. John has vibration white finger, a debilitating condition acquired as a result of working in heavy industry for many years, and a disability that forced him to change direction and look outside of manufacturing.
"Being out of work for 18 months but needing an income certainly focussed my mind," said John. "I had undertaken several seasonal jobs with ASDA so did have some experience. This stood me in good stead when a permanent vacancy arose here in the South Shields store, but the additional help that Remploy was able to offer proved invaluable."
From its branch on John Street in Sunderland, Remploy supported John with a tailor-made package of specialist employment services, including explaining the job application process, helping him write an effective CV that would attract ASDA's attention, and building his confidence so that, should he be offered an interview, he would be best placed to make the most of it.
It was, and he did!
"Being back in work has given me a real boost," added John. "Of course, drawing a wage each week is important, but the benefits of having job with ASDA are much more than this. I have regained self respect, and nobody can put a price on that."
People with disabilities and long term health conditions wanting to return to work or seeking their first job are invited to contact Remploy's specialist employment services branch in Sunderland on 0300 456 8038.