A community organisation has shown its dedication to being a ‘disability confident leader’ in the community.

The Witham Hub, in the Grove Centre, has completed the Government’s disability confident scheme, which encourages employers to be disability committed in their recruitment and employment policies.

The scheme is overseen by the Department of Work and Pensions and has three stages.

The Witham Hub passed all three stages in less than a year.

Braintree and Witham Times: Hub - The Witham Community HubHub - The Witham Community Hub (Image: Newsquest)

Witham Hub chairman Tina Townsend said: “To say that I am chuffed is an absolute understatement. 

“I am all the more proud of the fact that we have achieved the scheme’s top level in less than 12 months. 

Braintree and Witham Times: Location - The Grove Shopping Centre signageLocation - The Grove Shopping Centre signage (Image: Newsquest)

“This is an eloquent testament to the team at the hub and the hard work we have all done over the last year to ensure that we take disability issues seriously, and to make our establishment even more welcome and accessible to people with disabilities.

“Not only do we employ people with disabilities at the Witham Hub, but we hold events and activities that are specifically aimed at helping people with mental and physical disabilities. 

“We are proud to do so.”

Braintree and Witham Times: Pleased - The Witham Hub's Tina Townsend with the disability confident certificatePleased - The Witham Hub's Tina Townsend with the disability confident certificate (Image: The Witham Hub)

Amy McManus, of GetSetUK, said: “Amazing work from all the team at the Witham Hub and massive congratulations to them for achieving disability confident leader status.

"It is so well deserved by an incredible team who do their utmost to deliver services and offer employment opportunities to everyone in the community.

"I cannot wait to continue working with this amazing team and supporting them throughout their journey.”

It follows on from when The Witham Hub teamed up with a community first responders group last month.

The Witham first responders will now have a base at the hub for meetings and to carry out required training.