29th January 2008

Colleagues at Remploy’s Liverpool city centre specialist recruitment branch are celebrating finding their 100th job for people with disabilities and health conditions since it opened last August. But the biggest smile is reserved for 23-year-old Stephen Bulmer from Walton who, because of his disability, has never worked before. Thanks to Remploy, Stephen’s now delivering post for Royal Mail – and he’s enjoying every minute!

Stephen was referred to Remploy by a Jobcentre Plus disability advisor, and the branch team then worked with him to find a job that he would like. Remploy soon discovered that Stephen’s dyspraxia – a condition that affects coordination and movement – was not the biggest barrier he experienced. Rather, Stephen lacked self-belief because he had never worked. With Remploy’s support and specialist training, his confidence soon blossomed to such an extent that he walked away from his job interview with Royal Mail feeling ‘quietly confident’!

“I really wanted to work for so many reasons,” said Stephen. “However, as soon as I mentioned my dyspraxia, companies lost interest in me straightaway. Remploy introduced me to employers that would judge me on my abilities – and Royal Mail was top of that list.”

“We’re delighted to have helped Stephen, and that he’s our 100th success story,” said Remploy branch manager Debbie Turner. “We know there is a real need to find more jobs for people with disabilities in this city, but equally we know that there are employers like Royal Mail who value diversity within their workforce. By helping develop each disabled person to their full potential we’re confident we can assist many more.”

One of a number of facilities being opened throughout the country, Remploy’s specialist recruitment branch on Derby Square is playing a key part in helping the company, nationally, achieve its target of quadrupling the number of jobs it finds for disabled people by 2012.

The branch provides a range of specialist recruitment and development services for disabled jobseekers seeking to return to work or enter the labour market for the first time. These include basic skills and vocational training, assistance with job searching, help with completing applications forms and arranging job tasters and interviews. Remploy’s advisors work closely with Liverpool’s Jobcentre Plus offices and employers throughout the city to ensure that people with disabilities and health conditions are considered equally when vacancies arise.

Archive