Surrey Choices Supported Employment Fund

Surrey Choices gains Supported Employment Fund to remove barriers to work for disabled and autistic people helping them secure jobs across Surrey

Surrey Choices gains Supported Employment funding to remove barriers for disabled and autistic people, helping them secure jobs across Surrey. The fund is part of a new government initiative to help over 2,000 disabled and autistic adults move into work.

The fund has enabled Surrey Choices to purchase items to remove barriers for disabled people to gain paid work in Surrey including transport to and from work experience placements and bike helmets and high visibility jackets for cycling to and from work, smart clothing for interviews and computer tablets for job applications.  

Surrey Choices colleague Christina Earl, Head of Innovation and Business Development, spoke about how the grant has been making a significant difference at Surrey Choices: 

“It is such a privilege to have some funds which make such a difference to our job seekers. One applicant just needed some suitable boots for gardening, and without them he could not attend or benefit from the placement. Sometimes it is just the small things like this – but for others it’s larger items like a bicycle or training courses.” 

Christina continued to mention how the grant is helping remove barriers: 

“Over 65% of disabled people want to work but many face additional barriers. Surrey Choices EmployAbility can provide the support they need, but sometimes just the cost of travelling to work experience or even having the right clothes to wear makes it seems impossible. The Surrey Supported Employment Fund allows us to remove those barriers.” 

So far 25 disabled people have successfully applied for the fund to help them on their journey to work. Surrey Choices will be continuing to use the fund to support many more disabled adults to find their dream jobs. 

 

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