A disabled decorator from Kidderminster is painting the town red after achieving a successful first six months of self-employment.
Stuart Hill-Blount, 51, spent 20 years in New Zealand before returning to Britain in 2000. A nervous breakdown led to him being hospitalised and diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a condition which can cause mood swings, low concentration and memory loss. Years of receiving benefits and struggling to control his condition followed before a referral by Kidderminster Jobcentre Plus led Stuart to Pathways to Work at Remploy in Green Street, Kidderminster.
Remploy is the UK's leading provider of employment services for people with disabilities and health conditions. Remploy delivers the Government's Pathways to Work programme in Worcestershire, providing a range of specialist services and advice to support people off incapacity benefit and into employment.
"Going into Remploy really was the start of a journey for me," explains Stuart. "My advisor Paul talked me through the process, assessed my skills and abilities and I had a work focussed interview. I wanted to work for myself and had experience as a decorator. Paul kept me motivated but grounded all the way through."
Stuart's business, SC Contractors, was soon benefiting from business planning, financial and marketing advice from local partner, Balancing Business. Working with Business Link in the West Midlands, Balancing Business provides business support services to entrepreneurs, including those with disabilities, who wish to become self employed.
Leonard Cheshire Disability also assisted greatly through the Ready to Start programme sponsored by Barclays. They were able to provide a PC, funding for Stuart's tools as well as ongoing mentoring support to help with the transition into self employment.
Six months on and Stuart's business is going from strength to strength. He said: "I was determined to change my life and know now that if I can do it, so can other people. Eventually I'd like to employ someone else with bipolar and give them a chance, just like I was given. I couldn't have made it without Remploy, Balancing Business and Leonard Cheshire Disability and, with the ongoing support I'm receiving, I'm looking forward to a busy 2009."
Remploy recruitment advisor, Paul Wilcox, added: "Partnership working played a huge part in being able to support Stuart and we're thrilled with what he's achieved. We see the six month mark as a real milestone in our clients' employment. In Stuart's case, his business is up and running, he's maintained his motivation and got used to managing his health condition in line with a working life. He now has all the signs of managing and developing a very successful business."
Anyone receiving incapacity benefits who is looking to start or return to work is invited to contact Pathways to Work at Remploy, Elgar House, Green Street, Kidderminster, DY10 1JF. Telephone: 0845 155 2630.