The OPENING Project supports unemployed people across
Glasgow who have a disability, health problem or impairment and who want to work
for 16 hours per week or more.
OPENING was
established almost five years ago by a number of local organizations concerned
about disability issues and gaps in service provision. The Project is managed
and resourced by staff who themselves have an impairment or disability. They
provide individual support and help build the participant’s confidence in
areas such as compiling a CV, interview skills and techniques and completing job
application forms. As well as help in finding a job, the staff help with welfare
rights and benefits advice. Job Access Workers are also on hand to directly
contact employers and sustain individuals in work with on-site assistance if
required. They can also arrange external literacy and numerously support for
anyone who feels they would benefit from it.
Access issues are a high priority for the project and it is easily accessible for participants. Transport via taxis is offered for people who may have difficulty with independent travel.
For
those people interested in using the Project but are waiting for a start date,
there is an “Options and Choices” course on offer, run by the Workers
Educational Association at OPENING premises.
The Project
is also involved in an “Early Intervention Scheme” with local special
educational needs schools, offering pupils support and advice on employment with
the intention of having jobs ready for pupils when they leave school.
In the
past year or so, OPENING has supported 31 people to gain employment in jobs
ranging from clerical assistant to housing officer and from call center operator
to arts events organizer. At the end of last year, the Project was short-listed
for the national REMPLOY awards for good practice in supporting disabled people,
the only organization from Glasgow to do so this in this category.
Participants
find out about the Project usually through a Disability Employment Advisor (DEA)
at the Jobcentre, through Social Work Services, or via local agencies but often
it is through word of mouth from people who have received a good service from
OPENING. For further information about services or to visit the project, you can
contact the project on Tel: 0141 552 8382; Email info@opening.org.uk
or visit their website at www.opening.org.uk