A specialist employability service has been rolled out to help people with long-term health conditions and disabilities in North Ayrshire integrate into the workforce.

The Equal Programme, part of North Ayrshire Council’s employability service's Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire programme, provides support and guidance for individuals seeking employment or training.

Linda Ford, programme manager at Equal, said: "Here at Equal, our goal is to support people through personal development, activities, training, further education, volunteering and employment.

"We would love to hear from people, regardless of their circumstances, who may not be sure what opportunities are out there for them, which training they can do or which jobs are available.

“There is a whole host of opportunities - and experiences - available, and it is our job to match people with the right employer or trainer.”

One of Equal's success stories is Cameron Taylor, an autistic former client of Equal currently working with global IT services firm DXC Technology.

Despite having an HND in technical support, Cameron was unsure about his career prospects when he joined Equal in 2021.

The team assisted him to enhance his interview skills and find voluntary work, which boosted his confidence.

He said: "I am a lot more confident now than I was before I went through Equal.

"A big part of it was getting help with my interview skills – I don’t think I would have managed to make it through an interview without this."

Councillor Tony Gurney, cabinet member for green environment and economy, encouraged individuals with disabilities or long-term health to take that first step into work or training by finding out how Equal can support and help them change their lives.

For more information, the team can be contacted at supportedemployment@north-ayrshire.gov.uk.