I recently caught up with Ramsay Taylor from United Response, a local disability charity, who support hundreds of people with learning disabilities and mental health conditions across York.
As well as providing outreach in the community and supporting people in their own home, United Response act as a recruitment agency, offering a supported employment service for adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health conditions. You might have met or been served by a United Response client at Yo Sushi, BANG Hair Salon or one of the many employers across the city.
Ramsay manages the service and a team of Job Coaches. They help people to find a job and provide ongoing training to go with it.
“There is such a wide range of industries who employ our clients. In hospitality we have people at Middlethorpe Hall, Busk Coffee in Fishergate and The Botanist in town. We have an Business Intelligence Analyst at Aviva and John Lewis & Partners. Pryers Solicitors also use us. We have regular contact with over 100 employers in the city and more and more are interested. They realise we are a free recruitment service and there is a real pool of talent that they can tap into.
“Employers tell us how reliable and genuine our people are. It can be particularly tough in the hospitality trade to train up a new staff member only for them to move on. Often the people we introduce them to, because we have coached them and trained them to this stage, are very loyal to their employer and really value their position. It is a long term relationship for both parties.
“We always need more Hospitality employers and many of our people would love to get into IT, both hardware and software, and are very suited to it.”
Adam Summers, Yo Sushi Restaurant Manager says
“The biggest positive is the way it impacts the team. Everyone loves witnessing the development and how he has gone from strength to strength. The whole experience has been fantastic, professional and smooth. Jamie has fitted in perfectly and we are all very impressed.”
Jamie is now approaching his one year anniversary with Yo Sushi and he couldn’t be happier!
If you want to offer employment to a great pool of people, especially if you are in hospitality and IT get in touch with Ramsay directly on 01904 672572 or email ramsay.taylor@unitedresponse.org.uk
