Award for Brighton woman who has a learning disability

A Brighton woman who has a learning disability is celebrating 15 years of working for one of the country’s top retailers.

Vicky Roper, 41, works half a day a week in the store room at New Look’s Brighton branch on Western Road. She is the store’s longest serving member of staff and one of the company’s most loyal employees.

Her employment has been supported jointly by New Look and Brighton & Hove City Council’s supported employment team. Vicky is also currently one of the council team’s longest serving employed clients.

The deputy store manager of New Look’s newly refurbished Brighton store, Sophie Brooks, said:

“Vicky’s a very popular member of staff who has done a great job for us over the years. We’re looking forward to the next 15 years with Vicky at New Look!”

Vicky’s employment officer in the supported employment team is Suzette Attwood, who said: “We are delighted for Vicky - holding down paid work for 15 years and making herself a valued member of staff is a great achievement for anyone, and particularly for someone who has a learning disability.

“We’d also like to thank New Look for the commitment they have shown to supporting Vicky in her employment.

Vicky is pictured (centre) wearing some of the clothes she has bought with the £200 of complimentary vouchers presented to her as a thank you from New Look for her 15 years of service.

With her are Suzette Attwood from the council’s supported employment team and New Look’s Brighton deputy store manager Sophie Brooks. The photograph was taken by Peter Tierney.