Royal Mail mentor scheme creates a post for everyone

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/fea ... eryone.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When Ryan Hill, who is profoundly deaf, is asked how having a salary has changed his life, he grins broadly. Then he mouths the words: "I can afford to live in Edinburgh."

"I've got a mortgage on my flat. It's quite expensive," he adds.

Originally from Inverurie, 26-year-old Ryan has been deaf since early childhood, when he contracted meningitis.

He is employed at the Royal Mail's south-west Edinburgh sorting office, as a result of a partnership between the company and local disability charities.

Existing staff at the depot have been recruited to help mentor and buddy' new workers, most of whom initially come on placements from Enable Scotland.

Ryan was different - another charity, Capability Scotland, contacted Royal Mail when they realised he had applied online to work as a postman more than once, but had never been selected or even interviewed.

Fortunately, the company had recently introduced a scheme which had already seen Simon, a man with significant learning difficulties related to Aspberger syndrome, being successfully integrated into the workforce.

"We already had 37 different nationalities working for us but decided we wanted to be a more inclusive workforce," explains Carroll Cain, Royal Mail recruitment manager. "In 2005 we met up with Enable Scotland and offered them work placements."

Initially, Ryan and others with learning or physical disabilities have been offered four-week trials - so that their benefits are unaffected if it doesn't work out - followed by contracts to work their own postal routes.

So far, those working at the south-west centre have tended to be given their own dedicated routes, the main concession to their disability. "Usually new recruits would be put on a lot of different walks to get a taste of what life is like and get to know the area," Cain explains. "But these guys get their own walk and that is their walk forever."

In Ryan's case, that meant devising a route which he could walk safely and didn't include high-rise tenements or multiple residency buildings. He is unable to hear bells or buzzers, so couldn't easily access security doors. It is what is known under laws governing such matters - principally the disability discrimination act - as making a "reasonable adjustment" to enable a person to work more easily.

Other members of the workforce were prepared for what to expect and what Ryan might need, as well as to make sure there was no resentment at the marginally preferable treatment.

Apart from the socially inclusive approach, another interesting aspect of the scheme is the buddying'. Ryan has been paired with Rab Higginson, a postie with 15 years experience, who can look out for him at work and helped him through the training period.

"We made sure he was safe on the streets and provided him with courtesy cards which say who he is and that he's profoundly deaf - with a number to phone if they have any queries," Cain adds.

Ryan also has a mobile phone so he can text Rab should any problems arise. As well as walking his route, which takes three and a half hours, he is able to sort all the mail for his route - although he can't manage the primary' sorting of all EH10 postcodes at the beginning of the working day.

Nevertheless, he was awarded two prizes at Scotland's first Local Employment Partnership awards including the overall employee achievement award in February. He will represent Scotland at the national finals in June.

His hours have been increased from a 22.5-hour contract to a 30-hour week.

"The walking keeps me fit. You have to walk fast," Ryan explains, adding that he likes sport. "I'm into football, golf, tennis - everything. " And how does he feel about having a salary? "Lucky."

Do residents along his route ever talk to him or comment? He grins again and scribbles on a piece of paper. "I've had one or two complaints. But they're mostly very friendly."

The scheme has spread to other Edinburgh sorting offices, including Edinburgh south-east, west and north-west, and Dalkeith.

Ryan's "buddy" Rab says more companies should do the same. "I think there are jobs out there that people could be doing but they don't because they just don't think they can. It's a case of giving them a chance.

"You don't even have to make many allowances. Ryan is on his own now. I'm just there to fall back on if there is anything he needs."

Being a buddy' takes patience, but I've learned a lot, including some sign language

Rab Higginson is a Workplace Coach with Royal Mail, at their south-west Edinburgh depot, with a special responsibility for mentoring fellow workers with disabilities.

How long have you been a postman?
"Fifteen years - I became a workplace coach when they decided they needed to train some people to train others. "Two years ago, when the mentoring system was brought in and Simon, who has Aspberger's Syndrome, was recruited, I became a buddy'. You have to be more patient and it takes a wee bit longer to train people when they have a disability. But it's basically exactly the same."
What sort of training is involved?
"I was sent on a course that involved communication skills and teaching you how to put things in a way that's understandable, and making sure you are understood. I'm now working with Ryan, who is profoundly deaf, so the Royal Mail are going to send me on a signing course. But Ryan already understands me better than most people. He's also taught me some signs - I know the alphabet, days of the week and how to sign yesterday and tomorrow."
What is satisfying about the work?
"It's rewarding training people up anyway, but it's more rewarding to help Ryan or Simon. I've also got to know people from the charity Enable, and even helped them out on their stall at the Highland Show."
What are the challenges?
"With Ryan being deaf, I must admit I thought what are we going to do here? In Edinburgh you can't get into any tenement stairs unless you can hear the bells. But we got him his own route. "Simon can't read or write very well, but he has a phenomenal memory. So he learns it all - he knows every customer, if they are moving, who's got a dog, he just remembers it all."
What is the salary scale?
A postal worker receives £16,000-£18,000 a year. Rab receives a weekly bonus for his responsibilities as a workplace coach.