A QUARTER of working age people in Barrow have a disability, new figures have revealed. Social affairs reporter JONATHAN ROBINSON found out about a drive to help those in need of support.

"IF you're not careful you turn into a vegetable," says Mark Ardron, lifting his eyes at that final thought.

The 52-year-old amputee has suffered a heart attack, uses a wheelchair and is only too aware of what sort of a person he could have become if he hadn't joined the group.

"Before I knew about it every day was the same," he says. "I was sat at home doing nothing.

"I got introduced to the group and it's opened the horizon, because it's something 10 years ago I wouldn't have dreamed of doing."

The group? Imagine Independence.


Nestled in the Cumbria CVS building in Hartington Street, Barrow, Imagine Independence is a specialist employment service which prepares people with disabilities, learning difficulties or barriers to overcome with coaching, skills and support to gain work.

Rather than watching life pass him by, Mark has taken control. He was put in touch with Imagine Independence and has not looked back.

Due to Mark's leg amputation, which was caused by narrowing arteries, going back to his job - and life - as a mechanical technician wasn't an option after the operation.

"It wasn't just my hobby, it was my life," he says.

"Afterwards I had a sense of 'what do I do now?' Then I met Lorraine."

Lorraine Buckley, adviser at Imagine Independence, helped the Ewan Close resident take on voluntary work at Furness General Hospital in wheelchair maintenance and he is now on his way back into employment.

Perfect match


Lorraine Buckley. Described as an "angel" and a "rottweiler" in equal measure by her clients, Lorraine works with around a dozen disabled people at the group, finding career options, seeking training opportunities, and giving advice on writing applications and CVs.

She effectively runs a matching service - putting the right person in the right job with the right skills.

And she has a strong track record, with her current crop of clients either in work already, volunteering or undergoing NVQ qualifications in subjects like childcare.

Referrals are usually by social workers or mental health services, however individuals may also self-refer to Imagine Independence, a charity with other centres across the country.

This project is of special importance in Barrow - and is well overdue.

Disability is a huge issue in Barrow in Furness, with one in four working age adults having some form of disability in the borough, a figure which has continued to rise.

The borough also performs much worse than the national average in terms of disabled people being in work - usually trialing by around 10 per cent points.

Disability statistics

- The proportion of working age adults in Barrow with a disability has increased and at 25 per cent is the highest in Cumbria.

- 38.2 per cent of working age adults with disabilities are in employment in Barrow which compares to the national average of 49 per cent.

- Disabled people are significantly more likely to experience unfair treatment at work than non-disabled people. Figures from 2008 found almost one in five disabled people experienced unfair treatment at work compared to 13 per of non-disabled people.

- The prevalence of disability rises with age. Nationally, around six per cent of children are disabled, compared to 16 per cent of working age adults and 45 per cent of adults over state pension age.

'Magical service'

"Basically there's a lack of provision in Barrow," says Lorraine. "There is a big demand. I go here, there and everywhere. Barrow needs a project like this."

It's not only an economic drive to get more people into work. The personal transformation of clients can be huge, as Lorraine explains.

"This service is a magical one. They might be rock bottom when they come here but I then see them growing.

"I see a big impact, a huge difference in them."

One-to-one appointments, group meetings and guest speakers inspire and equip clients to search, apply and ultimately gain employment.

Case studies

Andy Taylor has chronic schizophrenia but, after joining 18 months ago, is now busy creating a befriending service to team up with other groups and spread the word about Imagine Independence and volunteers at various clubs such as the Blind Society.

"(Lorraine) has turned my life around," he says.

"I didn't know this was here until my CPN (community psychiatric nurse) told me about Lorraine.

"I've acquired a few voluntary roles. It's been brilliant."

When in work, Lorraine explains disabled people are more than capable and competent but getting through the job interview door can be a daunting psychological challenge.

Mock interviews and trials reduce this worry and gradually, sometimes slowly, build people's confidence up until they are ready to deal with the anxiety that comes with a job interview.

When Lynn Dawson arrived at Imagine Independence, she had suffered with depression for a while.

She says the group gives her a positive outlet and she now has plans to set up a toddler group.

"I started Imagine when I suffered with depression," says Lynn.

"It's been absolutely fantastic. It's taken me out of my shell.

"It got me back to being me."