Belfast Care provider shortlisted for RNIB See Differently Award

Unique Home Care NI has been shortlisted in the Employer of the Year category. This award recognises an organisation which has committed to providing an accessible and inclusive workplace for blind and partially sighted employees. From making significant efforts to ensure their recruitment process is fully accessible, supporting any new or existing workers with sight loss, to raising awareness of sight loss amongst their sighted employees.

Based in Belfast, the domiciliary care provider was nominated by Margaret Taggart, their employee who has sight loss and was found employment through the Access to Work Scheme. Before joining Unique Home Care NI, Margaret was unemployed for some time.

The company made sure their interview process was accessible for Margaret and since recruiting her, they have tailored their training sessions to meet Margaret’s accessibility needs which has helped her grow in confidence and thrive in her career.

Margaret said: “From the get-go, Unique has never let my sight loss be a barrier, from the recruitment process, which was fully accessible to me, to understanding my sight loss. They were fully on board and my sight loss was never an issue.”

Unique Home Care NI stayed in close contact with Margaret’s Access to Work Employment Advisor to ensure both parties were confident. It was decided that during monthly training sessions for staff, Margaret’s would be on a 1-1 basis, which she says has been a game-changer and allows her to still benefit from the training on offer.

Margaret adds: “The overall support that Unique has provided to me has helped me to realise my abilities and strengths, and how my employer can see beyond my sight loss has boosted my self-confidence tremendously.”

Speaking about being shortlisted, Kathy, registered manager at Unique Home Care NI, said: “We’re delighted to be one of the finalists for an RNIB See Differently Award. We wanted to make sure we got things right for Margaret and we hope more blind and partially sighted people will apply to join us at Unique Home Care NI. Whether we win or not, Margaret is winning, supporting staff is as important as supporting clients.”

The RNIB See Differently Awards will bring together a host of people from across the UK and aims to shine a spotlight on the excellent work happening every day to support people with sight loss. They will recognise and reward individuals and organisations taking positive action to help break down barriers and make the world a better place for blind and partially sighted people.

RNIB CEO Matt Stringer said: “The RNIB See Differently Awards will celebrate those who dedicate their time, passion, and skills to help build an inclusive world for blind and partially sighted people. Congratulations to the shortlisted national finalists, you’re all fantastic with incredibly moving stories and we wish you the best of luck.”

The RNIB See Differently Awards will recognise exceptional individuals and teams across seven categories: Campaigner of the Year, Eye Care Professional of the Year, Best Content Creator of the Year, Team of the Year, Employer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Design for Everyone Award.

The award winners will be announced at a ceremony which will take place at a hotel in Central London on Tuesday 21 May 2024.

For further media information contact Joe Kenny at RNIB NI on 07936 601266 or email [email protected].

About RNIB

We are the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

Every six minutes, someone in the UK begins to lose their sight. RNIB is taking a stand against exclusion, inequality and isolation to create a world without barriers where people with sight loss can lead full lives. A different world where society values blind and partially sighted people not for the disabilities they’ve overcome, but for the people they are.

RNIB. See differently.

Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk

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