A Herefordshire charity which has been instrumental in changing the lives of thousands of people living with learning disabilities is celebrating 25 successful years with the publication of an inspirational new book.
Landau Herefordshire, which operates from the Priebe Building in Hereford, is a leading provider of supported employment and training.
Since becoming a registered charity in 1995, it has helped young people and adults across the UK to create meaningful and fulfilling futures for themselves by supporting them into long-term employment.
To mark the charity’s 25th anniversary, an inspirational new book featuring the achievements and success stories of those benefiting from Landau’s vital services, is to be published.
Sonia Roberts, Landau Chief Executive, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be celebrating such a significant milestone in the charity’s history and thrilled that so many people have come together to share their positive experiences and achievements in this new anniversary book.
“Landau helps thousands of disadvantaged and isolated people each year to fulfil their dreams and potential by supporting them to find training and employment so there is no one more qualified to tell our story than those who have inspired, who have served and who have been impacted by our work.”
Café employee Wendy Rosier from Hereford is one of the 10 case studies to be showcased in the book.
She met Karina Cullen, one of Landau’s IPS (Individual Placement and Support) employment specialists for the NHS, in 2019 following a period of seven years without employment.
Wendy suffers with bipolar disorder, a mental condition which causes extreme shifts in mood, and as a result she had lost confidence in her own ability to find a suitable job.
However, working alongside Karina, Wendy was very quickly able to develop new skills through basic training which soon boosted her self-esteem.
Within several weeks Karina had found Wendy a job working at local coffee shop Café Bodegra, located on Kings Street.
Fast forward 12 months and Wendy continues to work alongside Sue serving tea and coffee to customers.
Karina said the job had transformed Wendy’s life, giving her a new found independence and confidence.
“She told me that she absolutely loved her job, and the staff and manager were all so nice. She seemed so much more positive and was so happy to share the fact that she was working when she spoke to friends and family.”
Mrs Roberts added: “Wendy’s story is exceptional but it’s not a one-off and the book demonstrates this. The work we do has a real impact on people’s lives, their future and their success and for that we are immensely proud.”
As well as its base in Hereford, Landau, which is an employer-led organisation with 22 per cent of its workforce representing service users, has another training centre in Stoke-on-Trent and its headquarters located in Shropshire.
Earlier this year, the charity became a nationally recognised Centre of Excellence for the work it does to help people with mental health conditions secure sustainable employment.
The service has also been recognised nationally by The RAND Corporation – an independent research organisation which guides changes in public policy. Earlier this year Landau became the highest scoring RAND reviewed wave 2 IPS service in the UK.
Caption: Wendy Rosier from Hereford talks to HRH about the support she has received from Landau during a recent visit to the charity