As I mentioned earlier, Mark Harper, Shadow Minister disabled people visited Harlow today. I wanted Mark to see some ground-breaking organisations that help disabled people and those who have had other difficulties of some sort or another.
First stop was Motabilty, just by Harlow Greyhound Stadium. Motability is truly one of the great charitable endeavours of our time. It empowers disabled people by enabling them to get a car, without having to worry about huge costs. The cars are also adapted for their needs. I myself, am a Motability customer since 2007, having bought my car from the excellent Kia Garage in Potter Street. I have to say, Motability has made my life much easier in terms of travel.
Today, Mark and I met the senior management of Motability, but also toured the offices meeting hard working staff, many of whom, I am glad to say, are local. Motability has 500,000 customers across the UK - and it is good that it bases much of its national operation in Harlow. I was astonished to meet one employee, who remembered my application of 2007 and had the responsibility of deciding whether my application was valid! All the staff were clearly passionate about Motability, and many have worked at the charity for over a decade.
Today, Mark and I met the senior management of Motability, but also toured the offices meeting hard working staff, many of whom, I am glad to say, are local. Motability has 500,000 customers across the UK - and it is good that it bases much of its national operation in Harlow. I was astonished to meet one employee, who remembered my application of 2007 and had the responsibility of deciding whether my application was valid! All the staff were clearly passionate about Motability, and many have worked at the charity for over a decade.
After Motability, I took Mark to see The Canal Boat Project, which I visited not so long ago and wrote about HERE and HERE. Mark set out some useful funding ideas, particularly from the County Council. I was again struck by the passion of the volunteers involved. Mark also met with Para-Olympian Anne Wafula Strike at the project. Anne was able to set out some of the difficulties disabled athletes faced - because of Government cuts to sports funding.
We then drove to the Latton Bus Centre to meet up with clients and workers from Employability. This is a charity that helps those with mental health difficulties find jobs. It has great success in doing so. Mark spoke with a number of clients who had found work through Employability. They all the made the point that the difference between Employability and a Government Agency, is that they were not treated as digits on a computer, but were given mentoring and real support that valued their dignity as human beings.
Mark said after, that it was good to get away from Westminster - from the Ivory Towers - and see real organisations on the ground doing important work. As someone who has a walking disability, I am glad to be the Prospective MP for a town that is at the forefront of helping the disabled.
We then drove to the Latton Bus Centre to meet up with clients and workers from Employability. This is a charity that helps those with mental health difficulties find jobs. It has great success in doing so. Mark spoke with a number of clients who had found work through Employability. They all the made the point that the difference between Employability and a Government Agency, is that they were not treated as digits on a computer, but were given mentoring and real support that valued their dignity as human beings.
Mark said after, that it was good to get away from Westminster - from the Ivory Towers - and see real organisations on the ground doing important work. As someone who has a walking disability, I am glad to be the Prospective MP for a town that is at the forefront of helping the disabled.
By Rob Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. http//roberthalfon.blogspot.com
