A MAN who started work in a programme to help people with learning disabilities find careers has won an award.

Jeremy Hoy, 47, has been a messenger at the Examiner for 13 years, having been introduced to the company by Real (Realistic Employment for Adults with Learning Disability).

Now he has won the newspaper’s Excellence Award.

Real is managed by Kirklees Council’s Adult Services and works closely with local employers.

It helps people with learning disabilities to find jobs and to receive free training at work. It provides support workers and also health and safety risk assessments.

Real looks for paid work for adults with learning disabilities and supports them at work until they reach their goal of working independently.

Jeremy, who lives at Skelmanthorpe, has friendly support from the reception staff and fellow workers at the Examiner, but has achieved his goal to work independently.

Real staff call in on a regular basis to make sure things are running smoothly.

Jeremy’s Examiner colleagues say he is very hard-working and conscientious, for whom nothing is too much trouble.

The company recently presented him with an achievement award.

Jeremy said: “I enjoy working at the Examiner and I’m really happy I won the award. I’d like to thank the staff at Real, who have really helped me.

“They still pop in to see to make sure I’m all right.”

Clr Margaret Bates, Kirklees’s Cabinet member responsible for adult services, said: “This scheme provides invaluable guidance and support to many people with learning disabilities.

“It enables people with learning disabilities to enjoy positive work experience and gives real jobs and career opportunities.

“Real does an excellent job supporting people with a learning disability in employment or work based activities.

“It gives me great pleasure to hear about Jeremy’s success. Receiving an award like this is a real achievement, one that is well deserved and should be recognised.

“Congratulations Jeremy, you are an inspiration to us all.”

Anyone who would like more information about Real is asked to phone Jayne Lodge on 01484 223550.