New gift shop presents training initiative for disabled job-seekers

A Co Down training initiative is expanding to support more people with disabilities gain employment.
Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry, marked the event when he officially opened Heart and Home, a key part of the Clanrye Retail Social Enterprise (CRSE) in Newry.
CRSE has been developed to expand existing employment and training services for people with a physical disability. Training is being offered to 30 participants, who have a physical disability, are unemployed or inactive and are seeking employment upon completion of their training.
An integral element of this project is the retail gift shop Heart & Home in The Quays shopping centre in Newry.
Speaking at the official opening of the shop, the minister said: “This enterprise provides an excellent example of how European Social Fund (ESF) and local public sector funding can work hand in hand for the benefit of our community.
“My attendance today provides me with the opportunity to see at first hand the training that takes place and to recognise the achievement of the trainees, who are with us today.
“Two of the objectives of my department are to work with others to promote the attainment of skills and qualifications, and to assist people to find employment.
“These are also the core elements of the ESF-supported programmes and the Clanrye Group has consistently proven to be one of our most valued partners, providing well targeted and tailored provision that complements my department’s main employment and training programmes.”
The programme is funded through the current ESF Programme that provides community funding of £181,393, with contributions from the Department for Employment and Learning of £113,371 and match funding provided from the Southern Health and Social Care Trust of £158,719. The overall support for the programme amounts to £453,483 over the next three years.
The minister added: “This funding helps to provide a broad range of complementary activities of direct and valuable support for the trainees, enabling access to accredited courses.”
Jerome Mullen, chairman of Clanrye Group, said: “The opening of the gift shop marks the first step in the project’s plan to create a social enterprise that supports and trains individuals in retail skills through offering work experience and qualifications.”