Dare To Ask | Creating an environment for all staff to thrive
"Just because someone has a disability doesn't make them not be able to do the same type of work. It's just a matter of getting them into the right job and they will thrive."
Full episode transcripts here:
Janette Chambers: If you can help someone with a disability it makes you feel really good inside.
Janette Chambers: We do a few things. We have three different properties. We have Pokolbin Village, Woolshed Hill Estate and Wine Country Villas.
Interviewer: How many people do you have employed through Castle?
Janette Chambers: We currently have five employed through Castle. One now is full time, he's gone really well. We also have one girl who does our petting farm and she's doing really well. Yeah, they're all wonderful.
Interviewer: How does Castle support you?
Janette Chambers: Castle's really good to deal with. If we're having any problems with anything, Castle comes out to help us out and guide us with what we're doing, and it's all gone really well.
Interviewer: Why hire people with disabilities?
Janette Chambers: Because, I think everybody deserves a chance and not a lot of people do give them a chance, and most of the time they work out even better than your current employees, because they're very dedicated to the job, and they're always happy to go above and beyond.
Interviewer: Any fun moments you would like to share?
Janette Chambers: Yeah, there is some good moments. We've had someone that left our petting farm, so one of the guys that does maintenance stepped into the petting farm, as well as what we did as well, and it was a learning process for all of us. So it was quite funny. We're up there trying to deal with animals that none of us had any experience with. So yeah, it was quite hilarious and they found it very entertaining as well.
Interviewer: What does it mean to someone with a disability to find employment?
Janette Chambers: I think it means a lot to 'em. You can see the difference after a couple of weeks once they've settled in, you can see the difference of how happy 'cause some of them have come from difficult lives and they are, it's like their second home.
Interviewer: Why do you think employers are reluctant to hire someone with a disability?
Janette Chambers: I just don't think people give them a go. Just because someone has a disability doesn't make them not be able to do the same type of work. It's just a matter of getting them in the right job and they will thrive. I highly recommend it. It's a wonderful experience.