A LOCAL charity has teamed up with Sainsbury’s to upskill people with mental heal needs or learning disabilities.
As part of their New Horizons service, Action Mental Health (AMH), a life-changing mental health charity, is working with the supermarket Sainsbury’s to create an innovative customer services course.
By taking part in this bespoke course provided by Sainsbury’s, the group of AMH clients will gain additional qualifications through their current NVQ retail skills programme.
Seven people have now completed the nine-week programme that covered all facets of working in retail from visual merchandising to food hygiene.
Sainsbury’s Bangor store manager John Lockhart tailoired a needs-based programme for the participants with the help of his colleagues – the idea coming from a previous initiative between the two organisations where Sainsbury’s provided resources for AMH’s floristry classes.
He said: “Having just completed this programme we have really enjoyed the company of the seven trainees as they have become part of our team over the last number of weeks.
“In our store we are continually trying to assist worthy causes from the local area. It is a life changing service that AMH provides and everyone in our store has been enthused by the work ethic shown by the individuals and we look forward to helping each of them complete their training.”
Linda Hunter, training co-ordinator for AMH New Horizons said: “At New Horizons we wish to enhance the quality of life and the employability of those with mental health needs or a learning disability here in Northern Ireland.
“A lot of hard work and dedication has been put in by the Sainsbury’s team and us to devise this programme in order to give relevant experience in retail to our clients.
“For our client group, such an opportunity not only achieves additional elements to their education but instils confidence and creates much needed social interaction for these fantastic individuals.
“Sainsbury’s have gone above and beyond in assisting AMH with the resources and structure for this programme and shown a real commitment to the local community.”
One of the trainees, Andrew Bailie, who has taken part in each of the classes said: “I have nothing but praise and admiration for our Sainsbury’s colleagues who work so hard to help. This has transformed many of our lives and the team at Sainsbury’s Bangor have really made us feel very welcome and comfortable in our surroundings.”