Chloe SmithMP for Norwich North
Chloe SmithChloe Smith, Member of Parliament for Norwich North has visited Norwich Community Interest Company, Norfolk Industries.
Chloe was invited by the company to visit to learn more about the work they do to support employees with disabilities within their workforce.
Norfolk Industries produces and sells recycled animal bedding products including recycled pet bedding and animal houses. Approximately 60% of Norfolk Industries’ raw materials are waste products from the food and newspaper industries.
Chloe comments: “It was brilliant to meet everyone at Norfolk Industries; enterprises like this are blazing trails of how employers can be confident in welcoming people with disabilities into their workforce.
“Five years of my Norwich For Jobs Project has demonstrated that Norwich is really up for the challenge of jobs and there is so much talent out there. I 100% support organisations like Norfolk Industries in bringing such a refreshing approach to disability and health in the workplace. Sharon and her team are inspirational!”
Sharon Tooke, Service Manager of Norfolk Industries said: “We were so pleased to welcome Chloe to Norfolk Industries. It was so evident that we were meeting someone who shares our passion and aspiration for more employment for local people with disabilities. Our team and volunteers loved meeting Chloe and took great pride in sharing their work with her.”
Chloe hopes that more enterprises will follow the example of Norfolk Industries and adopt a workforce that includes people with disabilities. Chloe hopes employers will be encouraged by the ‘Improving Lives: the future of work, health and disability’ Government paper, which was published in November 2017, which sets out plans to transform employment prospects for disabled people and those with long term health conditions over the next 10 years. The Government paper can be found here.
