A wage subsidy paid to Kings Restaurant by DET helped get David Leadbitter into work as a Restaurant Chef.
David had been a Chef before, but multiple health problems meant he’d claimed IB for a year. He saw DET Employment Adviser Maureen Dick at a Communtiy Centre drop-in session and she worked with him to rebuild his confidence.
Coincidentally the community centre where they met regularly had a part-time catering vacancy. Maureen told David about Permitted Work – a Jobcentre Plus scheme allowing people to work up to 16 hours without losing benefit and supported him to apply for the job. Easing him back into catering gave him the confidence to apply for the restaurant post.
Maureen said, “Our team is based in the community because people are often frightened to step through the door of a Jobcentre.
“We made sure he got all the support available and was able to get back to work at his own pace.”
David said, “The support I've received from Derwentside Employment Team has really got me back on track.”
Kings restaurant are really happy with David and find the support with the cost of wages really helpful in their new business.