A CHARITY which supports disabled people to reach their potential has joined Uxbridge College’s Employer Champion scheme.

DASH (Disablement Association Hillingdon) has become an Employer Champion as part of its work with businesses and other organisations in the West London area.

The charity offers varied support and services to people with a range of physical, learning and sensory impairments, including, sports and recreational opportunities, employability training and work experience opportunities, and a range of advice, support and advocacy services.

Their commitment to the College’s Employer Champion scheme builds on DASH’s existing partnerships with organisations including British Airways, Metro Bank, Cadbury and Hyde Park Hayes.

Rob Burton, Development Manager at DASH, said: “DASH is very proud to join Uxbridge College’s Employer Champion scheme and to benefit from the great opportunities offered by working in partnership with an outstanding further education college.

“It is also of great value to our charity to be recognised through this membership as a professional organisation which offers real value to business as well as to the disabled people we support.”

Lorraine Collins, Executive Director of Enterprise and Development at Uxbridge College, said: “While DASH is well known locally for its work supporting people with disabilities, not everyone realises just how much it has to offer organisations and businesses such as ourselves.

“Uxbridge College is gaining an enormous amount from its work with DASH, including volunteering sessions for students, employment support and opportunities, and a chance to benefit from its tremendous expertise.”

Uxbridge College is among those partners offering DASH employability support and training, and supporting the charity through volunteering. Sports students have volunteered regularly at the charity’s sports sessions at Botwell Green Sports and Leisure Centre in Hayes, and group of media students made a video of the sports session which takes its name from the charity’s strap line ‘Disability does not mean inability.’ DASH employs 18 people and has just taken on apprentice Darryl Ashcroft through Uxbridge College to work in a Sports Development role. The charity is also looking at taking on a second apprentice.

In its partnership work DASH offers expertise such as disability awareness training, advanced communication skills, and team building opportunities. Partners may offer work placements, volunteer hours or professional skills such as marketing.

Other members of the college’s Employer Champion scheme include Rackspace, Metro Bank, Apollo Fire Detectors Ltd, Cox Costello & Horne chartered accountants, International Visual Ltd visual merchandising, Courtwood Cars, and Wolf’s hair and beauty.

To see ‘Disability does not mean inability’ go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-sVR3zRMZk