Hundreds helped by Oxfordshire organisation celebrating its 75th birthday in 2021
Hundreds of people with health and disability needs from Oxfordshire have been given a helping hand into the world of work thanks to Oxfordshire Employment, a county council run organisation that is about to celebrate its 75th birthday.
Oxfordshire Employment and its socially responsible printing service, County Print Finishers are marking the milestone with a special event on Tuesday 5 October.
Founded in 1946, County Print Finishers and Oxfordshire Employment offer people with a health or disability need a hands-on introduction to the world of work, as well as ongoing support and advice once they are in a job to ensure the employment is sustainable.
Unlike many other services, individuals placed with County Print Finishers through Oxfordshire Employment are paid while they learn. This means that businesses using the printers’ commercial services are also supporting Oxfordshire residents as they start a job or career.
Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “This anniversary is a milestone not only for Oxfordshire Employment and County Print Finishers but for those we have successfully supported throughout the years – and those we continue to support.
“We want to help our residents reach their full potential and prioritise their health and wellbeing – County Print Finishers has represented this kind of positive culture for decades. It’s something we are deeply proud of at the county council.”
Will Gardner, Team Manager at Oxfordshire Employment, says the forthcoming anniversary event is a key opportunity to demonstrate the achievements of supported employees and their teams.
He added: “We’ve got such a positive track record to celebrate as we mark this important milestone in our history. Like many organisations, we have been affected by the pandemic. However, with restrictions easing and businesses seeing some recovery, we hope to see a renewed strength and use of our commercial services. This will help us to better support yet more people following in the footsteps of the large numbers we have helped over the decades. We look to the future with positivity as well as celebrating our past.”
The anniversary event will be attended by a number of county council representatives, and will take a hybrid format of in-person attendance and live-streaming. The event will adhere to current COVID safety guidelines with a restricted number of attendees, face coverings and socially distanced seating.
County Print Finishers was recognised at the 2018 British Association of Supported Employment for its work.
For more information about this release contact the Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council communications team on 01865 323870 or email press.office@oxfordshire.gov.uk