Sheffield Centre For Independent Living

Sheffield City Council’s Work Choice programme aims to support people who are disabled or have a long-term health condition in finding and retaining work.Carl Sparrow joined the programme after being made redundant in September 2010 following 20 years of employment. He was feeling low and de-motivated as he had struggled to find another job. Carl met with his Work Choice Adviser, Lorraine Dyson, who helped him identify his skills and support needs using an action plan. Carl then attended a dyslexia course which enabled him to improve his reading and spelling. To enhance his opportunities of gaining work, Carl volunteered with the Landscape Trust, attended an ECDL course to improve his computer skills and took part in a work placement with the NHS Equipment Loan Service. Through a close working relationship between the Work Choice team and the Joint Learning Disability Team a  driving job was identified with one of the council’s transport provider businesses, Yes2Ventures. An informal meeting was arranged and the employer was clearly impressed with the way Carl presented himself and how interested he was in the driving job. The employer made Carl a job offer on the spot. Work Choice continues to support Carl and the employer.

On starting his new job Carl said: “I was very happy to be given a job at Yes2ventures.  I do not think this would have been possible without the support of my Work Choice Adviser Lorraine, she has built up my confidence and self-esteem. It is fantastic getting up in the morning, getting ready for work, and being paid for a jobs l love doing!” Carl’s employer says: “We as a company are the privileged ones, having a hard and dedicated worker like Carl, who goes the extra mile every time!”If you or someone you support would like to know more about Sheffield City Council’s Work Choice programme please call John Griffiths on 0114 229 6177 or email the team on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it