Usel Hosts Official Open Day

Usel is the largest supporter of people with disabilities and health related conditions into open employment in Northern Ireland. This event provided an opportunity for guests to view firsthand the many divisions Usel operate to enable people with disabilities and health-related condition to move into or return to the workplace.

Usel unveiled their new corporate brand which reinforced their legacy in assisting people with disabilities and health related conditions achieve their employment aspirations and is reflected in their new tagline “Championing Ability”. Guests were also able to view the full range of products and services provided by Usel and their recently launched recycling operations.

Within their recycling base Usel remove mattresses from landfill and recycle the internal components. They are the only organisation within the province to provide this service which has resulted in creating greater employment opportunities for people with disabilities and health related conditions.

Minister Paul Givan, Department for Communities and the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Brian Kingston was in attendance to officially open their new factory bedding outlet.

Speaking at the event Minister Givan said: “My Department supports the role that USEL plays in this local community. Through its range of employment and training services, as well as these new and exciting social enterprise ventures, it is creating a clear and seamless pathway that prepares people with disabilities and health conditions for employment, and then critically, offers them the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to find and sustain paid employment.

“Through the recent mattress recycling initiative with Belfast City Council, and now the opening of a new bedding sales outlet here in Cambrai Street, USEL is positioning itself and its dedicated workforce on the local economic landscape.

“In doing so, I sincerely hope that it sends a clear message to other employers and society in general, that people with disabilities want to make a positive contribution to their own community, and provided they are given the opportunity, are more than capable of doing so.”

Bill Atkinson, Chief Executive, Ulster Supported Employment and Learning added “This has been a great platform to showcase our full range of products and services. All of our operations enable us to achieve our core objective; to help people with disabilities into employment and we will continue to seek to drive more innovation in our product and services provision to develop and grow the business and assist more people with disabilities into employment.”