Kettering Co-op Manager recognised as a Disability Champion
Posted by nathan lloyd | Published: 30/11/2016
Amy Marsh, Store Manager at Central England Co-operative Hallwood Road Food Store has been recognised for her continued support for Workchoice, a Department for Work and Pensions programme which helps people with disabilities into paid employment.
Employment and Disability Service (EADS) run this programme locally across Northamptonshire and work with clients for six months to get them ready for work.
Amy has been recognised for giving people the opportunity to shine.
Ally Campbell, Employment Development Officer at Olympus Care Services which provides services for people with disabilities, commented: “We have had many positive encounters with Central England Co-operative Managers in the Kettering area; however, Amy Marsh stands out to me as a Disability Champion.
“Amy Marsh is a manager who is able to see through the disability and recognises the skills of the person. She has helped change the lives of at least four individuals by providing them with employment and throughout at least two other Central England Co-operative Kettering Food Stores; we have placed around 10 clients for work experience.
“These people now have the means to support themselves, away from disability benefits. Now they have employment they feel they are a part of the community and become more socially accepted. They get to live what they see as a normal life. They form friendships through work which otherwise wouldn’t generally happen to someone with no confidence to go out and meet people any other way.
“On behalf of EADS, we would like to thank Amy for her approach to disability and her continued support.
“We would also invite other managers to work with us in a similar way that suits your business. Our clients are extremely loyal once they get the right opportunity. They work extra hard to find work due to their disability, so once they find work they do everything they can to keep it!”
Amy Marsh, Store Manager at Hallwood Road Co-operative food store, Kettering and Disability Champion, commented: “I would like to say that I greatly appreciate the award as I am extremely proud of what we do at Hallwood Road. I, as a manager, feel it is in line with the Co-operative way of working to offer equal opportunities to any and all individuals.
“I am proud of the contribution they have made toward our food store and the society as a whole.”
Amy’s Manager, Adam Waudby, commented: “I’m extremely proud to see Amy recognised for her continued support in the local community. Amy and her team do a great job of supporting, coaching and developing people on work experience and new starters to become key members of the team in store. Her passion, perseverance and dedication to this worthwhile programme is inspiring – well done Amy!”
Picture (L to R): Amy Marsh, Store Manager and Disability Champion, accepting her award from Sam La Rosa, Olympus Care Services.
About Central England Co-operative
Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK. It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with projected gross sales of £958million for 2016/17. The Society recently celebrated being named Leading Co-operative of the Year 2016 by Co-operatives UK. The Society’s principal areas of activity are food, funeral services, and property. Central England Co-operative has more than 430 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. The Society has an ambitious food store development programme for 2016/17.
Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility. It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence. The Society supports a number of charities including Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.
For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative
Rob Smyth / Jo Baldock at Central England Co-operative on 01543 414140
Email –publicrelations@centralengland.coop