Working with the Environment Agency to help people get a job » Communities » 24dash.com

"Thanks to the Pathways to Work Scheme I've been given the opportunity to show my abilities to prospective employers and have subsequently obtained a more permanent position within the Environment Agency. " says Lorraine Ford.

Lorraine is on the Papworth Trust's Pathways to Work programme, a government funded initiative that aims to assist people on health related benefits back into work. Pathways advisers work closely with individuals assessing their needs, capabilities and ambitions and through a carefully managed programme of one to one sessions, training and group work ultimately aim to help the individual identify a suitable job and place them within it.

Part of Pathways remit is to forge strong links with employers within the local community and arrange work trials, experience and paid positions which will be suitable for candidates on the programme. 

One such relationships is with the Environment Agency in Brampton, Cambridgeshire. 

Alison Pennycook their Area Diversity Advisor says, "We have been working closely with the Pathways Team at the Papworth Trust to look at ways of creating an environment to help people gain invaluable employment experience. The scheme is an ideal platform for people looking to return to work to gain invaluable work experience. It has also helped with intergration back into work and helped overcome fears and concerns, while at the same time, being immensely beneficial to our own staff."

Donald Lumb is currently on a workplacement at the Environment Agency, he says "The team I'm working with at Brampton has been very friendly and I haven't had to make a cup of tea yet! This placement has been a huge learning curve for me and is different to what I've done previously. I am looking forward to continuing the work placement over the next month."

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Notes to Editors 

About the Papworth Trust: 

Each year the Papworth Trust helps over 13,000 disabled people in the East of England and the UK through a wide range of services covering employment, vocational rehabilitation, housing and community support. 

In using the term disabled we mean anyone who has a long-term health issue, learning difficulty, physical disability, sensory impairment, mental health issue or a combination of these or other impairments. We also mean anyone of any age. 

The Trust also works with the Government, employers, service providers and commissioners to promote disability equality and good practice. 

For further information and media opportunities, please contact: 

Kerry Atkinson
E-Communications Executive, Papworth Trust
T: 01480 357263 (direct)
F: 01480 357201
E: kerry.atkinson@papworth.org.uk
Papworth Trust
Bernard Sunley Centre
Papworth Everard
Cambridge
CB23 3RG
T: 01480 357200
F: 01480 357201
E: info@papworth.org.uk
www.papworth.org.uk
Helpdesk: 0800 952 5000

Charity no. 211234 

Please note that The Papworth Trust is an independent disability charity and is unconnected with the Papworth Hospital NHS Trust.