Chloe Smith MP, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, joined local MP Dean Russell for a visit to Watford Workshop on Thursday morning.
Watford Workshop is the only employment project in Hertfordshire that provides work experience, skills development, independent life skills training and employment in a safe and inclusive environment, for people aged between 16 and 80 with physical, mental, and sensory disabilities and/or learning difficulties, and who may face barriers to mainstream employment.
Speaking after the visit, the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Chloe Smith MP said: “Watford Workshop is a wonderful example of an organisation supporting disabled people to move into employment and reach their full potential. I was delighted to see this work first-hand and speak to so many people who have benefitted from the service.
Helping disabled jobseekers find, retain and progress in fulfilling work is at the heart of our efforts to build back fairer as we work towards our goal to see one million more in work by 2027.”
Watford MP Dean Russell said “It was a pleasure to return to Watford Workshop and to show the Minister around their premises and to introduce her to a number of the service users. The opportunities offered by Watford Workshop help their service users to develop not just vital social skills, but invaluable practical skills which they can use to enter the workforce.
We must ensure that every single person that wants to work is given the opportunity to do so, and I am delighted that our town is home to Watford Workshop. I would like to thank the Minister for taking the time to visit, and I would like to extend my warm thanks to Watford Workshop for hosting us.”
Watford Workshop added that “Our service users are a unique microcosm of all ages and disabilities and as such, we hope provided the Minister with a wealth of valuable information. The Minister took the time to speak with everyone and they very much appreciated the opportunity to get their voices heard. Watford Workshop is quite literally “No Ordinary Workplace”. Over our 60 years, we have a proven model of how adults with disabilities, once given the opportunity and support, can achieve great things.”
Following the meeting, a new government 'passport' was launched to assist disabled graduates to access employment. Hundreds of disabled university students will benefit from a new 'passport' scheme which will follow them as they transition into the workplace. This new change will see a reduction in the need for repeated health assessments when starting a new job. The pilot scheme is being undertaken as part of the National Disability Strategy, and is launched at the University of Wolverhampton and Manchester Metropolitan University.
Dean commented, "I am pleased that disabled people can receive grants up to £62,900 which would cover the cost of specialist equipment which is needed to support them to do their job. The passport which is being offered to students who already receive additional support whilst studying at university.
This will help to capture information about their condition and the adjustments which they are already in receipt of. This will help to avoid duplication when it comes to applying for the grant once the employment has commenced".
