Scottish supported employment project shortlisted for national award

Cosgrove Care is hoping to pick up the coveted award for its supported employment project at a glittering ceremony in London on 13 June.

Article Source: Cosgrove Care
Last Updated: 14 May 2013 19:51

Among The Charity Awards shortlist announced on Tuesday 7 May is a project that provides people with learning disabilities access to realistic work experience, training opportunities, national qualifications and ultimately paid employment. The Charity Awards are one of the sector’s most prestigious schemes, and the 2013 winners will be announced on 13 June.

Cosgrove Care’s supported employment project has been shortlisted from hundreds of entries in the Disability category alongside just two other charities. Cosgrove realised there was a gap in the services it offered because of Barry, a 47-year-old staff member with learning disabilities. Bullied and excluded by his peers at school he then had a number of jobs which didn’t last until he was employed by Cosgrove. Being in paid employment in a supportive environment gave his confidence a boost and with the correct support it became apparent he was an asset.

The project is based in one of Cosgrove’s two Glasgow charity shops. In addition to retail space there is a community cafe and an onsite training room. It works closely with Glasgow City Council’s education department to provide training for young people with a range of learning needs.

The benefits are not isolated to supported employment students. For example, the local community has become more socially inclusive and aware of the abilities of people with learning disabilities, which reduces discrimination and improves integration.

And the winner is…

Cosgrove Care is hoping to pick up the coveted award for its supported employment project at a glittering ceremony in London on 13 June. If it wins its category it will also be in the running to pick up the Overall Award for Excellence, which is selected from the 10 category winners.

The Charity Awards is the highest profile event in the charity calendar. All 30 shortlisted charities this year have been judged by an independent panel of sector leaders as having demonstrated outstanding best practice from which other organisations can learn.

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