Innovation

Hansel has an innovative business model that is using assets in the form of employees and external stakeholders to engage in social innovation. Hansel has to also be innovative in how it gets money to fund its projects, which is not an easy task. However, some programs are funded by the Government’s Department for Work and Pension and all are built on Hansel’s 3E philosophy: Education, Employment and Enterprise. To be able to help disabled people find employment opportunities, Hansel must partner with many private and public sector organizations and businesses. Every person is dealt with on an individual basis. Hansel looks at what a particular person is looking for and whether it is realistic to achieve that goal in the workplace. Sometimes a person needs additional training, so either Hansel can provide the training or it links the person with local colleges or training organizations. Hansel owns internal premises where people can work or see what it is like to do the kind of work they want and get paid for it. One of these premises is Lindy’s Cafe, where food and drinks are served to the public, giving the chance of real life experience. At the end of the process, if a person agrees, Hansel becomes a liaison between an employer and the person, making sure the employer is able to adapt to the individual’s disability and Hansel assures that the job can be done by this individual. The process is challenging by nature as it requires overcoming employers’ stereotypes about disabled people and requires involvement of many stakeholders with different interests. In the end, it overcomes barriers and demonstrates to the employer the ability of the disabled.

Inspiration

From a very young age, Montgomery has had a really strong background working with disabled and venerable adults. She aims to put disabled adults into suitable employment as she believes it’s crucial that Hansel accommodates the needs of the residents there. She noted that other agencies group people together which Hansel is strongly against. Hansel is in a position where they can focus on the individual’s skills and qualities, which allows them to set up work for adults. She strongly believes that the work Hansel and her team are carrying out is changing the perceptions of employers and the public. In addition, events around the world such as the Paralympic Games change perceptions on a bigger scale.

“What inspires me is when I see people with disabilities who cannot get the same opportunities as able-bodied people,” Montgomery said. “That is wrong on every level. We need to challenge policy and look at different ways of doing things, which we have done.”

Overall impact

Hansel specifically puts disabled adults into suitable employment. It analyses the individual’s skills and qualities to select the most appropriate role. Every year Hansel sets targets based on the previous year to ensure that Hansel is on track and achieving what it set out to do. Hansel uses various programs to monitor its progress and various other aspects of the organization, such as sustainability.

“We had to reach a target of 82% but we managed to get 85% of people to come to us throughout Ayrshire and we got them into work,” Montgomery added.

Hansel also continues to monitor residents’ progress throughout their total employment. Montgomery noted that putting disabled adults into employment not only benefits them by gaining crucial work experience, but it can also change their lives completely. Hansel has strong connections with colleges and various other businesses, specifically within the hospitality sector. These close connections and personal service offered by Hansel allow them to offer the most suitable employment for its residents.

“With the supportive businesses, they say if you spend a pound you save ten pounds because people are in work,” she said. “They aren’t getting attached to the health service so much. They are motivated. They are happier. They are healthier. They have access to all the health benefits that work provides.”

Montgomery explained if you put a disabled adult into employment, they will be gaining vital skills, experiencing new things and earning a wage instead of being limited because of their disability. There is also strong evidence that Hansel prioritizes the needs of the adults it ‘s working with.

Business benefit

The innovation at Hansel of aiding individuals with disabilities into employment or at least being able to provide exposure to a working environment has had a positive impact on the business.

Hansel is in the early stages of developing a concept, The 3 E’s, which stands for Education, Employment and Enterprise. Montgomery is the head of Hansel 3 E's and said they were looking to pilot a project that looks at recruitment to encourage more young people to get involved with social care to offer a diverse work force.

"You’ve also got job retention because Hansel does have a lot of staff because social care is very difficult to recruit for and young people aren’t always up for or that keen to engage in social care,” she added.

Hansel has created job opportunities within their own premises with the opening of "Lindys Cafe" and the laundry service which both employ individuals under Hansel's care. The laundry service has attracted many nearby hotels and restaurants that send their linen to Hansel to be cleaned and therefore increasing profitability and morale within the workforce. At Hansel, they also have individuals who will maintain the gardens which has led to other organizations requesting that they come and cut their grass, for example. This allows the individuals to have a work experience which they seem to love and helps Hansel promote itself in the community.

Montgomery and her team work hard to secure funds from different programs they provide by attracting individual investors and maintaining a close relationship with government partners.. Their website offers a "support us" link where donation are welcome and the team at Hansel also participates in charitable events organized throughout the year.

Social and environmental benefit

This innovation benefits society in many ways. By helping disabled individuals get into work, society has a more open look at potential employees. Montgomery noted that when dealing with mentally or physical disabled individuals in the work place, employers tend to focus on what the individual can’t do and not on what they can do.

“You are promoting and selling an individual to an employer but you’re selling the positives and not the negatives,” she explained.

From an employer’s point of view, Hansel can be looked at as a free recruitment company as they will come forward with potential employees who have the strengths or “positives” that the company will need. Most of these potential employees will be eager to get into work as other employers may overlook them because of their disability. Not only does this mean that Hansel is providing society with workers, but with workers who are eager to work and will appreciate the job they are offered.

In terms of benefiting the environment, Hansel has large grounds that used to be called “Hansel Village.” The ground maintenance staff deals with environmental strategies and strives to be environmentally progressive. “Everything we do in ground maintenance is about recycling,” Montgomery added. The company has a full department focused on helping the environment, ensuring that any materials such as cardboard and plastic are recycled.

Interview

Carol Montgomery, Manager