Woodmor Related News
Millwood Servicing has won the Disability Smart SME Award at the Disability Smart Awards 2021 (2 December). Millwood Servicing received the award at a virtual ceremony hosted by Business Disability Forum (BDF) and sponsored by Microlink.
The Disability Smart SME Award recognises small businesses and start-ups that value the physical and mental wellbeing of all their workers, including disabled people, through thoughtful, engaging and inclusive workplace practices.
The judging panel chose Millwood Servicing for their efforts to create employment opportunities for disabled people, both within the fire safety industry and beyond.
In their feedback, the judging panel said:
“Millwood Servicing has introduced two exemplary initiatives to help people furthest from labour market to gain skills and work opportunities.
“Millwood Servicing is demonstrating that any company, regardless of their size and the sector they operate in, can do incredible things to remove barriers for disabled people.”
The Disability Smart Awards are awarded annually by Business Disability Forum. The awards celebrate and promote disability inclusive practice across areas including leadership, recruitment, workplace experience, customer service, and built environment.
Millwood Servicing was among twelve organisations and individuals who won a Disability Smart Award this year.
“Matt Wood, CEO Millwood Servicing & Co-founder of The WoodMor Foundation commented, “I’m so proud of the team at Millwood for the tremendous effort which has enabled us to provide purposeful paid employment to 24 unique, exceptional, and talented individuals who have gained their rightful place in the employment world through our Zero2Hero scheme since 2009”
Matt continued “We have created a supportive and welcoming atmosphere, where people from marginalised sectors of the community can learn and be given the opportunities that every other employee has, focusing on abilities and not disabilities. We provide an environment where everyone is accepted and acknowledged for their contribution in building a better, stronger, and more diverse company. At Millwood we respect every individual, understanding and showcasing their unique strengths, capabilities & hidden talents.”
In 2018 Millwood gained accreditation to become a Disability Confident Employer and the following year became a Disability Confident Leader supporting and guiding other SME’s on their D&I journey”.
In addition, during October 2020 Matt and Clare Wood started the WoodMor Foundation an extra-ordinary employability initiative which recognises the hidden skills of people from marginalised sectors of the community and digitally showcases them to prospective employers.”
Actress, broadcaster, and disability rights campaigner, Samantha Renke, co-hosted the Disability Smart Awards ceremony, with Business Disability Forum CEO, Diane Lightfoot. The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Chloe Smith MP, also spoke at the event.
For further information on all the Disability Smart Award categories, winners, and finalists, please visit the Business Disability Forum website businessdisabilityforum.org.uk/disability-smart-awards-2021-finalists-winners/
