Council Delighted to Win Usel Employer of the Year Award

April 25, 2018

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is delighted to win the Employer of the Year Award for the public sector at a ceremony championing the achievement of people with disabilities in the workplace.

The Champion Ability Awards celebrate the achievements of people who work for Usel (Ulster Supported Employment Ltd) or have been on Usel programmes over the last year in particular the EU funded STRIDE (Support and Training to Realise Individual Development and Employment) project.

Councillor Scott Carson, Chairman of the Council’s Corporate Services Committee, speaking about this latest award, said: “The Council works in partnership with Usel to complement its approach to managing attendance and employee wellbeing.  Over the past year a number of council officers have engaged with the service and are able to take advantage of services and programmes such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness sessions and yoga.

“The service that has been provided by Usel to assist our staff is first class and are a valuable addition to the in-house support that the Council offers employees.  Our employees are our most valuable asset and we are willing to invest in their health and wellbeing through a number of programmes.”

Among the guests attending the ceremony were the former winner of the Voice UK, Andrea Begley, who spoke movingly about her own experiences and how the talents and skills of people with disabilities make a valuable contribution to all areas of life.  She sang a beautiful version of Bob Dylan’s ‘Make You Feel My Love’.

Bill Atkinson, CEO of Usel, said: “Usel’s vision is to Champion the Ability of every individual whose lives we touch.  We champion people with disabilities and health conditions to focus on their ability and not their disability.  This year has been a significant growth year for our organisation and it is the staff and participants that have created the success.”