There’s been another creative mind working on our Coast Guide posters these past few weeks.  Coast Media has been mentoring a budding designer through the Supported Employment Service of Interwork Services to give him an insight into the graphic design industry.

We set Ian Thoume the task of creating posters for the Coast Guide and Map using previous years’ covers as an exercise, keeping in mind Guernsey Airport as an intended destination.   Ian was instructed to design a look that was in line with the style of the publication that would be eye-catching for visitors arriving on the island.

Ian gained a Diploma in Media Production, with Distinction, at the Guernsey College of Further Education and is seeking to break into the graphic design industry.

Coast Media’s Creative Director, Michelle Griffiths, says: “Ian stuck to the brief really well and the design was of a professional quality.   He has mild communication difficulties when speaking but his communication with us through e-mail was always prompt and comprehensive.”

Interwork Services, a specialist supported employment and recruitment service within the States of Guernsey Health and Social Services Department (HSSD), supports disabled adults and helps companies recruit and retain skilled disabled employees.   They work with people with disabilities, including Physical, Learning, Sensory, Mental Health, Autism and Asperger’s to Acquired disabilities.

Coast Media outsource the collation, enrobing and delivery of the Coast Guide and Map to Interwork Services where disabled adults collate their packs that are used at the Airport and Harbour and within hire car companies.

Nicola Ioannou-Droushiotis, Senior Employment Support Officer at Interwork Services, said it was really important to have the support of local companies.

“It means a lot for the people we work with to be given work experience or freelance work; it’s a foot in the door of the industry and an opportunity to prove that despite any disability, they can do the job just as well as anyone else.  We are always looking for more companies who would be willing to help us” said Mrs Ioannou-Droushiotis.

We think the team at Interwork Services do a fantastic job promoting disability awareness and supporting individuals at work and outside of work.  We will continue to help as best we can and encourage other Guernsey companies to get involved.”

To offer work experience opportunities or for further information, contact Nicola Ioannou-Droushiotis on 701032 or e-mail nioannou-droushiotis@hssd.gov.gg