Workplace: Papworth Trust

Every year the Papworth Trust helps disabled people in the East of England and across the UK through vocational rehabilitation, housing, personal support – and employment support. Could the Papworth Trust help you?

The Papworth Trust was founded more than 90 years ago to help people recover from tuberculosis, but for the last 50 years the focus of its work has been providing employment support, accommodation, care, advice and other services for disabled people. Currently, the Trust helps and supports more than 10,000 people each year.

Working with people across the eastern region, Papworth Trust’s Employment Service has proved exceptionally successful at helping disabled people and those with long term health issues to find lasting employment.

The Trust also provides support for people who are already working – and also their employers – where health issues are causing difficulties. For example, if an employee’s health is putting their job in jeopardy, the Papworth Trust is able to provide practical support – including job shadowing – which can help identify and overcome many difficulties. Support is provided too for anyone in employment who becomes disabled thanks to accident or illness. The Trust believes that since more than a third of workers over 50 years of age are disabled, and 78% of disabled people acquire their disability while of working age, it makes good sense for all concerned to retain this experience and skill within the workforce.

Staff who work on the Papworth Trust Freephone Helpdesk (0800 952 5000) know how hard it can be for someone to pick up the phone to make that first contact with the organisation. Each enquiry is treated in the strictest confidence and staff are happy to spend time discussing your circumstances, even if you don’t think you are quite ready for one of the charity’s programmes. They are able to explain what services are available, answer any questions, and provide reassurance.

Vanessa Sheldon works at the National Horse Racing Museum in Newmarket, where she uses the knowledge and experience she gained working in the racing industry before an accident ended that career. “I saw a poster at the Jobcentre Plus advertising Papworth and decided to give them a ring,” she says. “They were extremely friendly and helpful from the first call.”

The Helpdesk staff will put you in contact with your local Papworth Employment Adviser and then a meeting can be arranged at a mutually convenient time.  Advisers will help you identify the life skills, interests, qualifications and other aspects of your experience that will attract potential employers. Together you will explore what you want out of work, what motivates you and then start to create the basis of a plan to move forward over the weeks ahead.

As an independent organisation, the Papworth Trust can help by offering a new perspective to an individual’s job search. By not offering a “one size fits all” solution – instead treating each person as an individual – the Trust can help you research the local job market effectively, identify opportunities, produce a CV that stands out and make successful job applications. You will also be able to practice interview techniques and improve communication skills as you build knowledge and confidence. The entire process is free of charge and won’t affect your benefits whilst job searching.

For anyone needing a little extra help with their confidence levels, the Papworth Trust also offer a two-day motivational training course called GOALS – Gaining Opportunities and Living Skills. This is designed to help you identify practical and manageable steps towards achieving your goals.

Once you are offered a job, your Adviser will continue to work with you, providing mentoring support and advice about any aids or adaptations that might be required.

Where appropriate the Trust will continue to provide support to both you and your employer for as long as both parties feel it is useful. The Trust currently provides on-going one-to-one support for more than 220 people who are in permanent employment with more than 100 host companies.

When Hayley Pearce contacted the Papworth Trust’s Employment Service back in 2003, she had been out of work for nearly two years. Previously diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome (a hormonal disorder), she was now “post-Cushing’s” but, since she was still experiencing tiredness, muscle weakness and high blood pressure linked to her diabetes, Hayley felt she needed some help to find a suitable job.

Hayley has now been working at Specsavers in Ely for four years. Her career has progressed enormously with promotion to Optical Dispensing Consultant, passing four of her six exams at Grade A!

“My job is perfect for me,” says Hayley. “It combines doing a job I really enjoy, meeting people, and – one of the things I do best – talking! Taking and passing exams was really important to me as it proved to myself that I could still do it.”

Hayley’s manager, Store Director Mark Anderson, recognises the benefits of having a diverse workforce. “Hayley is one of the most positive bubbly people I have ever met,” he explains. “She has certainly taken advantage of the progression routes and excellent training opportunities within the company.” Mark is also full of praise for the Papworth Trust, which he says “can find good people, fast, and reduce recruiting costs and time.”

In the summer of 2007, Mark had contacted the Papworth Trust to talk about his store’s forthcoming refit, which would result in three new job vacancies. Sarah Newman was one of the new recruits found through the Trust. Sarah, who has arthritis, had been forced almost three years previously to give up a career working with horses. Her local Jobcentre Plus put her in contact with the Papworth Trust and she was duly assigned her own Employment Adviser, Greg Hall. “Greg suggested I apply for one of the new jobs at Specsavers,” says Sarah, “and the rest is history.”

Mark was very impressed with how quickly Sarah picked up her new job as a Clinical Assistant. “She started on one of the busiest days of the year, coped really well and just got the job done!” he says. “She quickly became very popular within the team and with our customers.”

For more information about the Papworth Trust Employment Service, or to order a copy of  Overcoming Barriers – Six Personal Stories, presenting the true stories of six Papworth clients on their journeys back to work, call the Papworth Trust free helpline on 0800 952 5000 or visit www.papworth.org.uk.

The Papworth Trust is not connected with the Papworth Hospital NHS Trust. Papworth Trust charity no. 211234.