A NEW partnership between Housing 21 and Sandwell Council is paving the way for a more inclusive community.
The Local Supported Employment initiative helps individuals in the local area with learning disabilities or autism find jobs or work placements. Opportunities include roles within Housing 21’s extra care and retirement living schemes.
Queensridge Court, an extra care scheme in Oldbury, is among the workplaces offering placement opportunities. One such placement was taken up by Gemma, a local resident who has signed up to the initiative, and after expressing an interest in learning more about cleaning, was referred by the scheme and offered a four-week opportunity.
Jessica Newey, housing and care manager at Queensridge Court, said: “The cleaners have given nothing but positive feedback. Gemma is always willing to help, and she has done a great job.
“She likes to make sure the work is done and cleaned properly.”
Using the experience from her placement, Gemma successfully secured a permanent role as a cleaner with a new employer.
The initiative aims to diversify workforces and open up more local employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Building on its success, Housing 21 now plans to expand the approach to other schemes in the area and already has three placements in the pipeline at another local extra care scheme, Deighton Court, further strengthening diversity and inclusion.