Established for over 50 years, Watford Workshop is a registered charity that provides Work Experience, Skills Training and Employment in a safe, inclusive and professional environment, for people of working age with physical, mental and sensory disabilities and/or learning difficulties, helping them to achieve greater independence, become more integrated into the community and where possible move them on to mainstream employment. It is the only project of its kind in Hertfordshire.  More than 60 disabled and disadvantaged service users attend the Workshop over the period of a year under two schemes – Health & Community Services and Work Choice.

The Minister visited to get first-hand experience of how Watford Workshop helps disabled people to increase their self-confidence and lead better lives by gaining employment. After touring the Workshop and talking to many of the disabled people present, the Minister then discussed various issues with the management team of Watford Workshop. Minister for Disabled People, Justin Tomlinson said: “Everyone deserves the chance to make the most of their true potential, but sometimes opportunities can be limited for disabled people. Watford Workshop is helping to change this by providing work experience, training and additional one-to-one support that will help people land a job. We’ve seen 292,000 more disabled people in jobs over the last two years, and by working together with employers we can ensure more people gain the security of a job and a regular pay packet.”

The Minister had been invited to Watford Workshop by Richard Harrington, MP for Watford, who is a Patron of Watford Workshop.  Richard added “I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to invite the Minister to see the great work Watford Workshop does in our community. It is a key aim of this Government to break down barriers to employment for disabled people, allowing them to have a fulfilling professional life. We should be proud that Watford Workshop will play a role in shaping policies that could benefit the whole country.”

Also present at the visit was The Baroness Thornhill MBE, Elected Mayor of Watford, and another Patron of Watford Workshop.

For more information about Watford Workshop, visit www.watfordworkshop.co.uk.