Claire

Following two years' unemployment and claiming benefits, Claire Muldoon landed her dream job as a web designer.

Twenty-two-year-old Claire, from Grangemouth, Stirlingshire, has muscular dystrophy and had not worked since completing an office administration placement in 2003. Despite her multimedia qualification and aspirations to work in web design, Claire feared that her mobility difficulties might prove a barrier to her finding a job, especially in such a competitive field.

Claire didn't know where to start in her hunt for a supportive and understanding employer and after spending two years out of work her confidence began to suffer.

Jobcentre Plus referred Claire to Remploy who approached First Direct Solutions, a local web design agency, to arrange an interview. The company was so impressed that she was offered a temporary position, followed by a permanent contract, as a web designer.

Claire has since become a valued member of a small team responsible for building web pages. She receives continuing training in new methods of web design, as well as ongoing support and confidence building from her employer.

Claire is much better off working, not only financially, but also in terms of the independence the role has given her. "With Remploy's help I found my ideal job," she said. "It's definitely changed my life for the better, I'm learning all the time and now believe in my own abilities."