A CHARITY which supports people with learning disabilities get into work has teamed up with a Bournemouth business.

Domestic Angels has partnered with The Crumbs Project, which helps those with mental health problems and learning disabilities become independent.

Crumbs recently encouraged and supported Domestic Angels in taking on Kelly, a woman with severe learning disabilities.

Domestic Angels employs 20 people who carry out housework in people’s homes and holiday businesses.

Founder Samantha Acton said: “The only cost to the company was time, we just needed to have a few more cups of tea and a few more chats than we would with other recruits.

“It was nothing more than that.

“We needed to gain Kelly’s confidence, so she felt she could open up, talk to us and ask questions. It’s new for her to come out to work.”

Ms Acton is now encouraging other businesses in the area to get involved with the project.

She added: “Small businesses should not feel daunted. I strongly recommend that they should try and embrace the opportunity if it presents itself.

“You will get back just as much as you put in. We can’t wait to meet the next candidate Crumbs put forward.”

Kelly, with the support of her personal advisor at Crumbs, began shadowing another member of staff in cleaning properties two months ago.

Now a paid member of staff, she is on her way to taking on a similar workload to other employees and becoming a fully-fledged Domestic Angel.

Crumbs training and development manager Ursula Boardman said: “Kelly was ecstatic when we told her that she had been accepted to do a work trial.

“Domestic Angels has been wonderful with Kelly, showing compassion and patience, spending time with Kelly and building Kelly’s confidence.

“She is now in paid employment with Domestic Angels which has not only boosted Kelly’s confidence but has made her feel accepted and capable.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to Domestic Angels for the support that they have given.”

Mrs Boardman added that there was a “huge amount of untapped talent for small business owners with vacancies to fill”. She said: “Only 46.7 per cent of those with disabilities were in employment at the end of 2015, compared to 80.3 per cent of non-disabled people.”