Hello again readers, we are sure you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read so far. The following blog I'm sure is personal to many people, so sit back and enjoy the read!
Andrew Grimshaw, colloquially known to us as Grimmers, our tagline being superstar Grimmers, is a wonderful addition to our Ethical CLARITY workforce. He first came to my colleagues Neil Scanlan and Frank Owen when Grimmers went to the job centre in Bolton in September 2016. When I asked about his treatment from the job centre, Grimmers responded, “It was OK, though I needed something to help me, because dad had dementure for 2 and a half years before that, and I was caring for him, and when I physically couldn't do it anymore, he had to be taken into a home, so that was when I decided to start looking for work again. It was a bit tricky looking for work, though with Ethical CLARITY, you just feel like your part of a team from the word go.”
Superstar Grimmers has several roles within Ethical CLARITY. He has been in the picking and packing area, where we pack our products into boxes to send to expectant customers. When I asked about the picking and packing sphere, Grimmers replied, “I enjoy working in the mill, though it can get a bit cold, though all part of the job.”
Grimmers has met our customers on deliveries with Will our amazing delivery driver who has Autisum and onto talking to our wonderful supporters on the telephone, and he has done administration work.
Fast-forward 5 and a half years later, things have been even more challenging for Grimmers. He had a stroke in October 2021. He said, “It came out of the blue. I was talking to a customer, though I felt like I was struggling to talk. I was feeling funny, then nothing until I woke up in Bolton hospital!”
When I asked does he feel like he has disabilities, he believes that initially when I came to Ethical CLARITY, he suffered more from mental health problems like anxiety and stress, and loneliness. These days though since he has had his stroke Grimmers says, "I can sympathise as to how a person with a physical disability can struggle. Even 4 months after my stroke, it can be an effort getting out of bed and having a shower, because I sometimes fall on my arms, and they feel weak, though I am never one to feel upset about it, I just overcome the challenge and get on with my day, and that what it's about.”
On asking Grimmers what he did before Ethical CLARITY apart from caring for his father, he responded, "To be honest, caring took most of my time. With dementure, it's like the person is fading away, and you feel upset because you can only do your best. I've done other things as well as working for Ethical CLARITY, though I think that Ethical CLARITY wins hands down. It's a huge part of my life. Even after my stroke, Frank and Neil have been so supportive even visiting me at home with biscuits and chocolate and Ethical CLARITY products of course. I've had to take my time while coming back to Ethical CLARITY building up my hours as my recovery has improved. I've been on the phone now for 5 or 6 weeks. Like with most jobs, when you start, it's like a 3 stage process. The first stage is getting to know your job, the second is getting to know your colleagues, and the third stage is getting into the routine, although with Ethical CLARITY, I felt that the first and second stages were far easier, particularly after my stroke, because my memory is giving me trouble. Still, Frank and Niel have really helped putting my well-being first and to ensure I take my time."
When I asked Grimmers about how he has found the covid pandemic and working from home, he said that it's not been too bad working from home, though, "I don't know how it will be if or when we find office space. I do miss not having an office because it gets you out and about and you can see people face to face, though I am happy I have got a supportive workforce, and because I can identify in a physical way how a physically disabled person has to work harder, I feel like I'm more understanding”
I asked Grimmers then if he had lots of money how or what would he do to help disabled people? Grimmers said that he would give a lot of money to Ethical CLARITY, and help the disabled community by spreading more awareness and putting money into education.
In concluding this blog, Grimmers is an inspiration and a totally dedicated member of our Ethical CLARITY team. We think he's a dynamo, and we look forward to having him for many years to come, Superstar Grimmers, that’s you, how true!
We change lives and feel the vibes!
Sophia Mckie, Bsc, Msc
Head of Blind and DisABLED Development