Learning Disability Work Experience Week back for second year

A number of companies including British Red Cross and South West Trains are offering placements to people with learning disabilities this week as part of Mencap’s second Work Experience Week.

Although 65 per cent are able and want to be in work, only seven per cent of people with a learning disability are in employment.

Mencap want to change negative perceptions about their ability to work by encouraging businesses to take part in work experience week and welcome a person with a learning disability into the working environment.

The charity is running the week to give people with learning disabilities the chance to gain valuable work experience, learn skills and aid progression into employment as more companies create opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

Mark Capper, business development manager at Mencap, said: “People with a learning disability have as equal a right to work as anyone else. The companies we have worked with realise this and are also beginning to realise that offering work placements to people with a learning disability not only helps the individual, but can be profitable for their business as well.”

Richard McKenna from Inclusive Employers added: “Working with Mencap has allowed us to create workplace cultures where all people are valued equally and where all people can add value.”

One person who benefitted from work experience week last year was Andy, who has a learning disability and had been out of work for four years before his mum got in touch with Mencap who arranged a work placement at fast food chain McDonald’s.

Andy’s mum, Sheila, said: “He was getting more and more depressed - some days he couldn’t even get out of bed. He was failing to receive the support he needed despite me keep telling employers about his learning disability.

“It was such a relief to have someone finally listening. The change in Andy was almost instant. One minute he was a man with no hope, the next he was full of hope.”