Sandip joined the Intensive Personalised Employment Support (IPES) programme in January 2020 after being out of work for two years. Having Cerebral Palsy and communicating through a computer keypad, Sandip joined IPES in search of extra support with finding suitable work. He had expressed his interest in working in the public and third sector after working previously as a Policy Officer for Scope and completing a BA Hons in Economics and Government.
Together Sandip and his Key Worker got to work on updating his CV, going through mock interviews and attending workshop sessions to develop his skills and prepare him for real interview situations.
Despite having his own challenges and several knockbacks, Sandip is an extremely motivated individual and doesn’t see his Cerebral Palsy as a barrier to employment or education. In June of last year he wrote the book ‘What non disabled people know about disabled people’ which has been released on Amazon.
Sandip says: “I would like to demonstrate that an individual should not be judged by their disability, and can do things that other individuals can do despite the challenges they may face. Determination, grit and encouragement from others, has got me to where I am today. These qualities will allow me to push forward and pursue my future goals.”
Sandip also has a real interest in advocating for those with a disability and is campaigning for Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Iceland, Waitrose and Ocado, to scrap delivery charges and lower the minimum spending amount so that more people can put food on the table. This has become even more of a challenge for many during the Covid-19 lockdowns as many vulnerable people have been shielding or out of work. Talking about his campaign Sandip said: “Many Disabled people cannot get out of the house and shop on the high street and have no choice but to pay supermarket delivery charges. In some cases, people have to make an unenviable choice of heating the home or putting food on the table. Others are being pushed into debt.”
Sandip is asking for people to sign and share his petition, he has already had more than 200 people sign up. Find out how you can get involved here: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/scrap-delivery-charges-and-lower-minimum-spends?source=direct_link&