PRESS RELEASE


MICHAEL HOWARD MP TO HONOUR SUCCESS OF LOCAL DISABILITY PROJECT

18 June 2003

Shaw Trust Folkestone will be welcoming Michael Howard MP to their project Open Day on Friday 20th June at11.00am, to meet and congratulate trainees and staff on the outstanding success of their project. Based at Shaw Trusts retail premises in the Old High Street, the project provides training and work skills for people with a learning disability. Shaw Trust, now celebrating 21 years of operation, is a national disability charity that provides training and work opportunities for over 14,000 disabled and disadvantaged people in the UK each year.

27 trainees currently attend the Shaw Trust retail project, where they can experience a real life commercial environment, helping them gain the skills and confidence to progress into voluntary work or paid employment. They are involved in everything from stock control and display to customer care. They also learn skills in handling money, invoicing, ordering and banking as well as being able to access IT training on site. The project is supported by Kent County Council Social Services and the East Kent Partnership Fund.

Michael Howard MP said: "I am delighted to be able to see for myself the excellent work being carried out by Shaw Trust. The challenge of providing training and work for people with learning disabilities is a very important one. Shaw Trust are to be congratulated on the help they are giving local people with learning disabilities. I am very grateful to Susan Clark and her colleagues for all they are doing"

Susan Clark, Shaw Trust Folkestone adds, "We are delighted to have Mr Howard attend our Open Day. We have had a remarkable year. Our charity shop has doubled its turnover in the last 12 months; our project is full and were seeing real achievements among our clients with learning disabilities; many of them moving into independent living and making choices about their futures - its an incredibly exciting time here".

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MICHAEL HOWARD MP TO HONOUR SUCCESS OF LOCAL DISABILITY PROJECT



Notes to Editors:

1. Photo opportunity: Michael Howard MP, disabled people and their families will be at Shaw Trust Folkestone at 11.15 am on Friday 20th June - 7 The Old High Street, CT20 1RJ.

2. Shaw Trust Folkstone is a vocational project for people with learning disabilities. Members of the project have an opportunity to develop work skills within a realistic retail environment. They can achieve qualifications and access further education courses, as well as accessing work experience placements and employment.

3. Shaw Trust is a major provider of services under the UK Governments New Deal and Welfare to Work agenda.

4. Shaw Trust is a national charity, celebrating 21 years of operation, that provides training and work opportunities for people disadvantaged in the labour market through disability, long-term ill health or other social circumstances. With a network of over 720 staff and over 200 projects throughout the UK, we provide opportunities for over 14,000 people each year. www.shaw-trust.org.uk

5. For general media enquiries, please contact; Tracey Proudlock, Political Affairs Manager on 07974 708024 or email tracey.proudlock@shaw-trust.org.uk.