A LOCAL charity has teamed up with Sainsbury’s to upskill people with men-tal health needs or learning disabilities.
As part of their New Horizons service, Action Mental Health (AMH), a life-changing mental health charity, is work-ing with the supermarket 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 qualifi-cations 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 tailored a needs-based programme for the participants with the help of his colleagues — the idea coming from a previous initiative between these two organisations where Sainsbury’s provided a number of 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.
“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 quali-ty of life and the employability of those with mental health needs or a learning disability here in Northern Ireland.
“For our clients, such an opportunity not only achieves additional elements to their education but instills confidence and creates much needed social interac-tion for these fantastic individuals.”
One of the trainees, Andrew Bailie, who has taken part in each of the class-es, said: “I have nothing but praise and admiration for our Sainsbury’s col-leagues 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. “