Local residents with disabilities benefit from latest Tottenham Hotspur Stadium jobs fair

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosted its latest jobs fair today, setting aside the morning for local residents with disabilities.

Jobs fairs, regularly held at the stadium in partnership between Tottenham Hotspur Foundation and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), have always been a major driver of employment in and around Haringey.

Today’s event attracted 614 job seekers, with some employers handing out job offers, interviews and invites for trial shifts on the spot.

Among those looking for work were people with various disabilities and impairments who were given the best possible opportunity to showcase what they can offer thanks to a dedicated morning period.

There are an estimated 5,700 Haringey residents aged 14 and over who have a learning disability, over 19,500 people who have a physical disability, almost 5,000 who have sight loss that impacts upon their daily living and around 15,700 adults who have a moderate or severe hearing impairment.

Sayma Saqib, 24, a wheelchair user from Haringey, has been searching for work for two years.

She said: “Today’s been really helpful as employers have been introducing me to programmes that will hopefully boost my experience – I didn’t realise there are so many of these programmes.”

Ibrahim Mohamed, 36, also from Haringey, explained through a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter how attending today’s jobs fair was a unique experience for him.

“I think it’s incredibly important BSL interpreters have been included in this event, making it accessible for me. It’s meant I’ve been able to communicate in my first language to recruiters. Previously, at other events, it’s been difficult because I’ve had to use the written word.

“I understand some people lose their confidence when they don’t have interpreters. I really do want to encourage deaf people to come and join in at events like this, and be proactive – don’t feel you’re unable to work. There have been a lot of jobs here that are accessible for deaf people.”

Attending in the new Spurs home shirt was Mehmet Ozalp, 22, from Enfield, who said he “really enjoyed” the morning and was leaving feeling “very positive”.

His mum, Mary, said: “It’s hard finding a job, but when you have special needs as well it’s even harder. This kind of thing is very good for him and for me. I had no idea about some of the services on offer, so hopefully more opportunities have opened up for him.”

The percentage gap in employment between people with learning difficulties and the overall population is 74 per cent in Haringey (2021/22), compared to 70 per cent in London and 70.2 per cent in England.

Antony Kyriakou, Foundation job coach, explained why the morning was set aside to help support the likes of Sayma, Ibrahim and Mehmet.

“We’ve always allotted a certain amount of time for those with disabilities as we’re wary of how overwhelming the usual environment, filled with the buzz of hundreds of people, can be.

“However, through our engagement via programmes like Project SEARCH – our supported internship at North Middlesex University Hospital for young adults with disabilities – and knowing there’s a higher rate of unemployment among people with disabilities, we’re increasingly aware of the need for a helping hand into the world of work.

“Today was a fantastic opportunity, being able to once again make use of the stadium on our doorstep and run an event in partnership with the DWP.”

Employers at today’s fair included Shaw Trust. Nasim Kahalam from the employment charity said his team had taken the details of 27 people throughout the morning who felt they could improve their chances of finding work.

“It’s been a great morning, very engaging. Having a designated part of the day for those with disabilities, we haven’t had a slot like this at other jobs fairs, so we’ve been able to understand more about the barriers people are facing and that’s very important.”

The jobs fairs form part of the Club’s ongoing efforts to drive employment opportunities locally, with 3,700 full-time jobs supported by the stadium across Haringey, Enfield and Waltham Forest, including 2,800 of those in Haringey.

To learn more about and register for employment opportunities available through the Foundation click here or email thf.recruitment@tottenhamhotspur.com