Derry man praises work of disability charity Mencap

A Derry man with learning disabilities has praised a charity which has helped him secure a work placement in a landmark tourist destination in the city.

It comes after new figures released this week revealed that revealed that over half of the public (5 per cent) say they would prefer to work for a company that employs people with a learning disability, despite an estimated six per cent of people with a learning disability being in paid employment.

The figures were released by the charity Mencap, who also revealed that it has helped over 70 people gain workplace experience with over 50 businesses in the northwest.

Mencap’s Northern Ireland’s Employment Service supports and works with employers who want to give people with a learning disability an opportunity in the workplace, such as Boots, Local District Councils, KFC, McDonalds, Sainsbury’s, B&M, Poundland, Poundstretcher, ASDA, Tesco as well as many smaller local businesses right across Northern Ireland.

One of those people who have benefitted through the service has been Slaine, a young Derry man with learning disabilities, who has a work placement at the Guildhall and Tower Museum in Derry in the Museum and Visitor Services section and has been supported by Mencap for three years.

Speaking about the impact it has had on his life, Slaine said that his placement has helped him build up confidence in dealing with the public.

“Having work experience is beneficial, it helps you find out what you are good at and enjoy doing as a job,” he said.

“I like interacting with the visitors that come in to the Guildhall and Tower Museum and feel confident in directing people about the building.

“The staff are very helpful and friendly and I’m not afraid to ask for help if I’m not sure about something.

“I want to keep up my work placement at the Guildhall and Tower Museum continue to improve my customer service skills, hopefully in the future I can get paid employment in a customer service role.”