Forty domestic and catering staff at Causeway Hospital have completed disability and inclusion training as part of a programme that has earned the hospital's Corporate Support Services team a national award.

The team was named Mencap's Employer of the Month, recognising its practical steps to support colleagues with learning disabilities in the workplace.

Alongside the training, the hospital introduced pictorial work schedules to provide additional guidance for staff with learning disabilities.

Linda Saunders, the Northern Trust's Corporate Support Services Domestic and Catering Manager, said the aim is to create an environment where everyone feels respected and valued. She said the team celebrates diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all staff to contribute, develop and succeed.

One staff member who has benefited is Laura McCollum, who has worked at Causeway Hospital for seven years. With support from Mencap, she initially worked in the hospital café and later moved into a cleaning role, where she works alongside a workplace buddy. The Trust said her confidence has grown and she takes great pride in her work.

Joanne McDonald, a Mencap Disability Equality Officer with a learning disability, emphasised the importance of education in creating inclusive workplaces. She said the training helps colleagues understand what a learning disability is, challenges assumptions and ensures people are treated with dignity. She thanked the hospital for ensuring 40 staff completed the training.

Jane Martin from Mencap presented the award and said it reflects the ongoing partnership between the charity and the Causeway Hospital team. She praised their collaborative approach, open communication and flexibility, adding that feedback from staff and service users has been extremely positive about the person-centred approach and its impact on confidence, skills development and long-term outcomes.

The recognition highlights how workplace adjustments, staff training and sustained support can create lasting employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities while fostering a more inclusive culture in the health service.