Page 14 - Community Living Magazine 34-3

column

A new role to encourage employers

Sara Pickard is looking forward to the future – she has been
vaccinated and secured a job for the Welsh government to
promote people with learning disabilities as employees

n my last article for Community Living, been furloughed since last March. We
I was looking forward to returning to have kept in touch but that is not the
Iwhat I thought would be a normal life... same as having our usual banter in
but, as of now, this has not been the case. the office.
Everyone has faced the same
disappointments and there have been so A champion for the country
many tragic losses during this time. While on furlough, I was made aware of
As someone with Down syndrome and an exciting opportunity to be part of a
being part of a family who are shielding, Welsh Government initiative to increase
we always follow the guidelines closely to the number of disabled people in work in
keep ourselves safe. This meant that, like Wales. This is something I feel passionate
so many other families, we had a very about as I have benefited so much myself
different Christmas last year. from being in paid employment.
However, we have just had our first The Welsh Government published its
vaccinations, which feels like we have Action on Disability: the Right to Sara Pickard signs up for her civil service role to
made one important small step towards a Independent Living Framework and Action help realise the hopes of people with disabilities
life beyond the pandemic. Plan in 2019, which supported the idea of
I have missed so many face-to-face appointing disability champions who had been successful and was to be one of
experiences over the past year, especially would advocate for the employment of the six disabled people’s employment
the opportunities I had to meet so many disabled people by increasing awareness champions for Wales.
inspirational people from other countries of their talents and skills. There was still a lot to be done on
in my role as a self-advocate council pre-employment checks before I was able
member for Inclusion International. to take up this post as a civil servant for
I was fortunate enough to travel widely People with a range of the first time.
during my five-year term of office. This disabilities have gained many Eventually, all this was completed
came to an end at the general assembly, and I took up my new role with the
which was due to be held in Dubai in skills by working from home Welsh Government at the start of
November, which I was so looking that they could put to good February. Now I can really start to
forward to. make a difference to the hopes of people
Unfortunately, this had to be held use in employment with a range of disabilities within
online but, as part of the live event, I was our communities.
delighted to be told that I was to be made A magic moment in this whole process
an honorary life member of Inclusion These posts, which are to be one-year, was when my contract finally arrived and I
International. This was an unexpected fixed-term appointments, will be filled by was able to sign it (see picture). I can look
honour and I am looking forward to people with disabilities who would work forward to this next brand-new chapter in
contributing to and keeping in touch with with business leaders of small and my life.
the work of this fantastic global medium-sized businesses throughout Despite all the doom and gloom around
organisation in the future. Wales to illustrate the benefits of the pandemic at present, I feel that having
I have also missed my involvement in employing people with a disability and to a job like this will give me the opportunity
the work of Mencap Cymru as, together make them aware of the support that is to play a part in the recovery, which needs
with many of my work colleagues, I have out there for both the employers and the to take place to ensure those with
people with disabilities. disabilities are not left behind.
Having found out about this, I was made People with a range of disabilities have
aware I had an opportunity to take a gained so many new skills by working
career break from Mencap Cymru to take from home that, I am sure, can be put to
up this post if I was successful. good use in employment opportunities in
I applied and, after quite a period of the future. User: WT-shared(WT-shared) Cardiff at wts Wikivoyage
time, was delighted to hear that I was to As I write this article, I am just starting
be offered an online interview. After doing my new job and I am so looking forward
some research, I felt well prepared and to working as part of a team of disabled
thought the interview went well. people’s employment champions within
Welsh Senedd, Cardiff: a state scheme is to There was quite a gap again between the Prosperous Futures Division of the
show the benefits of employing disabled people the interview and finally hearing that I Welsh Government. n
14 Vol 34 No 3 | Spring 2021 Community Living www.cl-initiatives.co.uk