Charity helps more people back to work

EMPLOYMENT charity Shaw Trust is now supporting more than three times more disabled people into work.

The charity, which offers local services in Edinburgh, has just been confirmed as the prime provider for more than half of the 28 Department for Work and Pensions contracts for the new multi- million pound Work Choice programme.

The award of 16 contracts has seen the charity increase its support to more than 9000 people across the UK, from around 3000.

One city resident was so desperate to work again after a ten-month hospital stay, caused by a serious brain injury, that she summoned Shaw Trust to her bedside to start planning before she was discharged.

Two years on and the 39 year-old is back in her part-time role as direct support worker at the Garvald Centre.