Edward Sulman from Swansea has become the 5,000th disabled person in Wales to be supported into a job by Remploy Cymru through the UK Government’s Work Choice programme for people with more severe disabilities and health conditions.
Edward, aged 44, used to work as a chef but now needs a mobility scooter to help him get around, after a glass injury caused an infection which led to the amputation of his right leg below the knee.
“Life took a dramatic turn for me and suddenly I was thrust into a situation I didn’t expect to be in,” said Edward, who suffers constant pain. “I was keen to get back into work but found it a struggle, as it was a long time since I’d had an interview for a job. The support and knowledge I got from Remploy Cymru really helped me to move on at a particularly challenging time in my life.”
Edward who has been married to his wife Enid for 20 years was was put on a programme with Admiral
Recruitment to equip him with all the necessary tools to get back into work. The mentoring programme offers the opportunity to improve employment skills such as application and interview techniques, as well as offering candidates the chance to engage in mock interviews with experienced recruitment staff.
Edward is one of more than 435,000 people in Wales with a disability as defined by the Equality Act. He’s hoping to be fitted with a new hi-tech prosthetic leg this year making it easier for him to get around. He said: “My main aim is to be able to walk again but at the moment I am just talking every day as it comes. I was keen to get back into work which I have achieved, so now I am looking forward to my career with Admiral!”
Only 45 per cent of working age disabled people are in employment in Wales compared to 49 per cent in the UK and there are also higher levels of people with mental health issues in Wales compared to the UK as a whole.
Helen Northmore, Business Development Director for Wales said: “The disability employment gap in Wales is slowly reducing, but we’re making a real difference through partnerships with the Welsh Government, Jobcentre Plus, local authorities, disability organisations, education providers and community groups. More than 18,000 disabled people have been supported into work by Remploy Cymru since 2010 and we’re working closely within communities to provide employment opportunities for disabled people and improve social inclusion.”
To find your nearest branch of Remploy Cymru please go to the Remploy website: www.remploy.co.uk
