When we think about Cornwall, many of us conjure up images of a gorgeous holiday destination with vast sandy beaches, quaint fishing villages and of course lots of yummy food. It is no secret that tourism plays a major role in Cornwall’s economy but how often do we stop to consider what else makes up Cornwall’s economic jigsaw puzzle? The answer is small business. From handmade ceramics to hot tub hire, small enterprises with fewer than 10 employees make up nearly 90% of businesses in Cornwall. However, although the framework of small businesses is inclusive in terms of the variety of enterprises that exist, the same cannot be said for inclusivity amongst the workforce.
In fact, within this environment of small businesses there is an employment gap for the over 50’s, for disabled people and for those with long term health conditions.
As a result of this, a project was set up in order to help small to medium-sized Cornish businesses make the most of this underrepresented sector of the workforce and promote workplace inclusivity through research and funding. The Inclusivity Project is funded with support from European Regional Development Fund and the SW Academic Health Science Network, is a partnership between the University of Exeter, Age UK Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Disability Cornwall and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.
As a result of The Inclusivity Project, a photo project entitled, Emerging Inclusivity in Cornish Workplaces was created in which employees with disabilities and health conditions were asked to take candid photos as a means of depicting how their work lives are adapted to their unique needs.
Here are some examples of the photo essays which emerged as a result of this project.
“Cupboard doors opening and closing, TV playing next door, the chatter of neighbours, the deep rumble of the outside traffic, all distract me from my ever present work. Here, I place these upon my ears, move the switch and I'm in control. In control of what noises I choose to hear, what music or vocalisations will support me, motivate me to work. It also helps to cut me off, to remove me from distractions that ever try to remove me from my screen.” – Tigger Pritchard
“Despite my disabilities, I am seen as somebody who is organised, efficient and on top of things.” – Lucy Wright.
“The way ahead if you have a disability is not always clear, but if you can find, or if someone gives you that green light in the mist, it may just lead you to what you need. Even if it may feel a little strange and possibly a bit scary, if you don't go, you'll never know. When the mist of unemployment descended on me, having left one job that was becoming inaccessible, only to go to another for which my skills were well suited, but that no reasonable adjustment could overcome the initially unforeseeable hurdles, I had no clear path ahead.
However, I was offered an unexpected green light, which lead to a completely different way of life on the other side of the country, that I once thought would be inaccessible, but actually turned out to be more accessible than I could have ever imagined. So whilst the morning mist may be an inconvenience for seeing the bus coming on my daily commute, it is just a mere inconvenience on this journey we call life.” - Naomi Stevenson
If you would like to find out more about the Inclusivity Project and the Emerging Inclusivity in Cornish Workplaces Project, then please click on the links above.