15th October 2007

Former Remploy factory worker Ian Pritchard from Rhydfelin, near Pontypridd, who was unemployed and on dialysis for over ten years, has successfully gained mainstream employment with LTL Connect in Treforest.

Initially the 42-year-old was sceptical and unsure what to expect when he entered the mainstream labour market.

His decade long career with Remploy began in 1988 in the production control department of Remploy’s Treforest site. After experiencing recurring renal failure, Ian left work in 1997 and it was only this year he felt well enough to return.

Remploy is the UK’s leading provider of employment services for people with disabilities and health conditions. In addition to employing disabled employees at Remploy factory sites, last year the company supported over 5,000 people with disabilities and health conditions into mainstream employment.

“I enjoyed my time working in the factory but when I felt well enough to return to work, I knew it was my chance to try mainstream employment,” said Ian. “After working with Remploy for so long I knew they would be my best chance of securing a job in mainstream employment that suited me.”

Ian worked with Remploy’s dedicated employment advisors and Dash Training, who helped Ian overcome the barriers that could affect his return to work. As part of the development programme, Ian built his confidence and attended interviews. He was soon offered a job as a telephone coach in LTL Connect, which runs a 24/7 contact management centre to address personal and workplace performance improvement.

Ian now helps people across the UK who experience mental health problems, to help them cope and stay in their jobs – instead of giving up work and moving onto benefits.

Ian said, “When you are unemployed it can be very disheartening. It sometimes feels like you are facing nothing but dead ends. But, when you are working everything seems to fit into place – it seems like my life is back on track.

“Having an income doesn’t just mean that you can buy things, it also means you can make long term plans or go on holiday. Ultimately working in mainstream employment has given me back my freedom and self esteem – its one of the best decisions I have ever made.”

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