When organisations from the voluntary, state and private sectors get together the results are often spectacular, so don't be surprised to see a huge billboard pulled around the Crawley / Horsham area throughout December with a message you wouldn't normally expect to see.
A Potential Diamond, in partnership with Manor Green College and West Sussex County Council, supports young people with learning disabilities or autism into paid employment. Ad In Your Face is a mobile billboard-advertising company who believe in the power of strong messages put over in a dynamic and eye-catching way.
Tom Whiskin, Managing Director of Ad In Your Face, said: "Having met Richard, it's easy to see why he is so passionate about A Potential Diamond. It's clearly a win-win situation for all involved. Businesses get a focused, hard-working, member of staff and the young person benefits from a job that's ideal for their skills and abilities, that can then blossom in a structured, supportive, environment".
Richard Lamplough, Managing Director of A Potential Diamond, said: "Tom's knowledge of the power of a targeted advertising campaign, professional approach and understanding of what we are trying to achieve, made it easy for me to decide to use Ad In Your Face get our message over to local businesses."
The poster features three young people, two of whom are employed locally: Blake Edwards, who has worked at B&Q in Burgess Hill since 2013, and Liam Miller, who joined JLC Aviation in Manor Royal four months ago. Blake went to Central Sussex College and Liam went to Manor Green College and, whilst many young people with additional needs end up unemployed once college comes to an end Both Blake and Liam moved straight into work. With funding from West Sussex County Council and a close working relationship with tutors at Central Sussex and Manor Green Richard was able to build an accurate picture of the young people's strengths for a full year whilst they were at college. Then, once they had left college, he marketed their CVs to local employers - in Blake's case used a video CV for this. Once Richard had interest from B&Q (Blake) and JLC Aviation (Liam) he ensured the potential "job fit" would match their talents as closely as possible. Both companies made provisional job offers and Richard's support continued for employees and employers in the early months, with him gradually withdrawing as the young people became fully independent in the work place.
"I'd like to thank all the young people for allowing us to turn them into billboard stars for a month," said Richard. "They are role models who will not only inspire other young people with additional needs to aspire to have paid employment but also show local employers the value of a largely un-tapped source of talent."
www.ad-inyourface.co.uk
www.apotentialdiamond.org
tom@ad-inyourface.co.uk
richard@apotentialdiamond.org
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