Alan is quids-in now he has a job at Poundland

Wythenshawe based Alan Wilde has secured a job at Poundland with help from the disability charity Shaw Trust.

Alan, who has learning difficulties, was struggling to find work after being unemployed for a year. Keen to find a job which matched his skills, Alan’s local Job Centre suggested he join Work Choice, the Government programme which helps people with learning, mental health and physical disabilities get back into work. He was referred to national disability charity Shaw Trust, who run the programme in Greater Manchester, and is the lead provider of Work Choice in the UK.

Alan received one-to-one support in his search for a job, as well as training in IT and interview skills. As his confidence and skills increased, Alan became ready for employment and was offered a job at Poundland in Wythenshawe as a cleaner.

Alan says: "Shaw Trust have been extremely supportive and I cannot thank them enough. I feel much more confident now and I am really enjoying my job at Poundland, I get on extremely well with my colleagues and it’s a pleasure to come to work".

Disabled people are almost twice as likely to be unemployed as non-disabled people, and 60% of disabled people in Manchester are currently workless. Shaw Trust works with employers across the UK and helps 70,000 people a year like Alan gain new skills and enter work.

For all media enquiries, including arranging photography, contact Rebecca Miller on 07912 560348 or rebecca.miller@shaw-trust.org.uk

Shaw Trust is the largest third sector provider of employment services in the UK. The Trust, set up in 1982, helps people with disability or disadvantage to find and stay in work.

Shaw Trust believes that everyone has the right to work and live　independent lives. As a national charity, our work is about empowering people to improve their lives and to believe in their own abilities as passionately as we do.　

Work Choice is a government programme to support clients, on a voluntary basis, with learning, mental health and physical disability/barriers to employment.

Shaw Trust is the lead provider of the Work Choice contract, delivering around 60% of the Work Choice provision across the UK

Tags: