Right2Work have just been told one of our customers has been shortlisted for a national award which, along with two customers from Oaklea Trust, means we’re on for a hat-trick!
There were more than 600 entries for the Learning Disability & Autism Leaders List 2018 which have been whittled down to 15 in each category, with Jamie Hiner – one of our customers here at the Kendal site – making the final shortlist!
The awards are all about recognising organisations who have made a real difference to people’s lives.
Jamie has been put forward under the ‘work & education’ category.
We caught up with Chris Pantechis, Team Manager at the R2W Furniture Warehouse, who had just been undertaking a review with Jamie and was really pleased as it adds to the journey Jamie has been on:
“The fact that he is now willing and able to offer guidance and support to other day opportunity customers (particularly in the area of woodwork where he has very good skills) and also that he has become a regular member of the collections team going out and about on the bulky waste van.”
“When I asked him what he liked about going out on collections/deliveries he responded that he enjoyed the challenge of the different jobs and the difficulties that they were confronted with on each call – I would say that was pretty much confronting any of his anxiety and autism head on!”
Clive Wigley, CEO of Oaklea: “This is a superb achievement and a credit to Jamie and the staff supporting him, and we mustn’t forget our two Oaklea customer nominees Jonathan & Kit over in Barnard Castle, Co Durham.”
“We want to thank and congratulate all three and make sure everyone – friends and family especially – celebrate what they’ve done. It’s often the little stuff that makes a difference and these awards recognise this as they lead to much bigger steps being made.”
