REPRESENTATIVES from a Herefordshire organisation have headed off to the capital in recognition of their roles in improving the position of disabled people in the workplace.

Gemma Lewis, head of HR at Services for Independent Living (SIL), and her assistant Karen Hunt were invited to the Speaker’s residence in the Houses of Parliament to celebrate the anniversary of the Disability Confident Scheme.

SIL is the only organisation in Herefordshire which has been awarded Disability Confident Leader status.

Gemma and Karen took the early morning train from Leominster to join others in the State Rooms to meet with the Minister for Disabled People, Sarah Newton MP.

The scheme helps employers think differently about disability, and improve how they attract, recruit and retain disabled workers.

SIL CEO Euan McPherson said: “SIL is an organisation led by disabled people for disabled people and this is wonderful recognition of how we encourage and support disabled employees. We are currently looking for disabled people to join our board of trustees and I would encourage anyone who is interested to contact me.”

In order to become a Disability Confident Leader organisations must demonstrate that they have increased their understanding of and challenge attitudes towards disability; remove barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions in the workplace; and ensure that disabled people in their workplace have the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

SIL has been supporting disabled people in the county to remain independent for 22 years.

For more information about SIL’s services visit www.s4il.co.uk, or call: 01568 616653; email: contactus@s4il.co.uk