The team at Evri in Birmingham welcomed Tyrique, known as Ty by his work friends, for an initial 6-week work experience trial. Ty received tailored support to thrive in his role and he quickly learnt many valuable skills such as problem-solving, time management and the importance of teamwork - he has loved working in the warehouse.

Ty has performed so well, the whole team at Evri and Mencap are delighted that he has secured a permanent role within the team. This success story serves as a testament to the power of collaboration between companies like Evri and charities like Mencap. By providing work experiences that are inclusive and supportive, they not only enrich the lives of individuals like Ty but also demonstrate the immense potential that diverse talent brings to the workforce.

At a recent celebration even to mark the end of the academic year, Ty spoke about the support he has received from colleagues at Evri and described how they have become great friends.

In Mencap’s recent ‘The World and Learning Disability Research Report’, which was published last week, key findings were announced, including: 86% of unemployed people with a learning disability want a paid job and 23% identified inaccessible application forms as one of the things preventing them getting work.

Tyrique Shakes, Warehouse Operative at Evri, said: “At first, I just wanted to work in a supermarket but the Mencap team helped me see the similarities between working in a supermarket and at Evri. I’ve really been welcomed into the Evri family, I’ve been able to showcase my talents and make new friends too, which has really boosted my confidence.”

Vania Mendes, Depot General Manager at Evri said: “It’s been lovely to see Ty embed himself as one of the team in a relatively short space of time. The process of working with Mencap has been a smooth one and it’s been a real partnership, looking at cases individually and making sure we’ve tailored the programme to their needs. Ty’s journey at Evri highlights the importance of inclusive hiring practices and the transformational impact that a supportive work environment can have on people.”

Mark Capper, Head of Development, Lifestyles & Work at learning disability charity Mencap said: "It’s been fantastic working with Evri. They are a shining example of how employers can support people with a learning disability to get their foot on the career ladder and gain valuable skills to thrive in the workplace.

"Evri's enthusiasm to work with Mencap to create opportunities for people with a learning disability is evident through their whole team. The young people placed with Evri have received great support and have been able to progress into their first paid jobs - a massive achievement for any young person. On the back of this successful partnership, we are now looking to expand ways of working together to help create more opportunities for people with a learning disability to gain employment. "