Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge’s MP James Heappey has this week given his backing to a local disability charity’s drive to encourage employers to recruit more disabled people.
Leonard Cheshire Disability, which runs a care home in Axbridge, is working to ensure people recognise the benefits disabled people bring to the workplace through their Untapped Talent campaign.
Charity representatives Philip Brownlie and Victoria Hemmingway met with Mr Heappey this week to discuss how the campaign can be implemented across Somerset.
“In the Wells constituency, we are beyond full employment and some firms still have many vacancies,” Mr Heappey told Burnham-On-Sea.com. “It is clear to me that businesses could be helped to be more confident in employing disabled people and disabled people could be helped to be more confident in seeking work.”
“We would be able to unlock a pool of untapped talent that is essential for helping our local economy grow so I am pleased to lend my support to this excellent campaign.”
Neil Heslop, Chief Executive of Leonard Cheshire Disability, explained that employers have a role to play in closing the disability employment gap and said the charity will continue to work with employers to help them create supportive workplaces.
“Employers of all sizes have a huge role to play in closing the disability employment gap. Sadly, too many still seem to have the wrong idea about taking on disabled people,” Neil told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“Disabled people can face barrier after barrier in getting a job as a result of attitudes that have no basis.”
“We work with some of the biggest companies in the country. Given the chance and the right support we know disabled people flourish, making huge contributions to the success of companies and the UK economy as a whole.”
“We will continue to work with employers to help them create inclusive and supportive workplaces that benefit everyone.”
