Musgrave has been rolling out JAM Card training across its stores in Northern Ireland to make the shopping experience more inclusive and accessible for all.

Developed in 2012 by multi-award-winning social enterprise, NOW Group, the JAM Card is a discreet way for those with learning difficulties, autism, or any communication barrier to ask for ‘Just A Minute’ of patience in any social situation in a non-verbal way.

Shoppers who are JAM Card holders, can simply show their physical card or app, and store staff will be able to assist in ensuring the customer receives the support they need in store.

Caroline Rowan, Head of Retail Operations at Musgrave said: “We are committed to providing an open, inclusive, and accessible shopping experience for all our customers. The JAM Card initiative has improved accessibility for customers, and ensures our colleagues are all equipped to provide great customer service to everyone.

‘We are committed to providing an open, inclusive, and accessible shopping experience for all our customers’

“We are thrilled to have been named JAM Card Partner of the Year. More than 80 of our stores have already pledged their support by completing training and we are working with the NOW Group as we continue to get more on board.”

Nicola Tipping, JAM Card Business Development Manager added: “We have 165,000 JAM Card and app users and support more than 2,500 organisations participating in training to become JAM Card friendly.

“We are delighted to recognise Musgrave as our JAM Card Partner of the Year. The addition of SuperValu and Centra stores across Northern Ireland is fantastic and will help to make a significant step towards improving inclusivity and accessibility across the retail sector.”

Last year the retail and wholesale group also launched a Skills to Employment Programme (STEP) with NOW Group, committing to employ 25 people across its estate over the next five years.

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The retail and wholesale group has launched its new Skills to Employment Programme (STEP) to employ 25 people across its estate over the next five years. Twins Tomás and Mícheál Harkin, NOW Group participants, have already been employed at SuperValu Dairy Farm in Dunmurry and Centra Foxes Glen on the Stewartstown Road in Belfast as part of the recruitment initiative.

The NOW Group is a multi-award-winning social enterprise operating across Ireland – committed to getting adults with learning difficulties and autism into sustainable jobs for the future.

SuperValu and Centra stores are also becoming JAM Card friendly, increasing inclusivity and accessibility for more shoppers across Northern Ireland.

EFFECTIVE TOOL

Developed by the NOW Group, JAM Card is a simple, discreet yet extremely effective tool that allows those with learning difficulties, autism or any communication barrier to ask for Just A Minute in any social situation, in a non-verbal way. The JAM Card and app currently has 145,000 users across the island of Ireland. SuperValu and Centra store colleagues are now undertaking a training programme with the aim that all stores will be JAM Card friendly by September.

Speaking about the partnership, Caroline Rowan, Head of Retail Operations for Musgrave said: “We are excited to partner with the Now Group to offer new employment opportunities to adults with learning disabilities and autism.

“Tomas has been working in SuperValu DairyFarm for over two months and is already proving a great asset to the team. He has expressed how much he’s enjoying his new role while Mícheál has just started in Centra Foxes Glen. We are looking forward to seeing them both progress in their roles and are delighted to have them on board.

“Our stores operate in the heart of communities across Northern Ireland, and we are committed to providing an open, inclusive, and accessible shopping experience for all our customers. The JAM Card initiative will improve accessibility for customers, and ensure our colleagues are all equipped to provide great customer service to everyone.”

‘CREATING SUSTAINABLE JOB OPPORTUNITIES’

Sean Hanna, NOW Group Director of Services, added: “We are thrilled to partner with Musgrave NI to create inclusive and sustainable employment opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities, Autism and neurodiverse conditions. At NOW Group, we are dedicated to empowering individuals, and this collaboration with Musgrave NI allows us to create sustainable job opportunities for our participants.

“Moreover, the JAM Card commitment by SuperValu and Centra stores is a significant step towards inclusivity and accessibility in Northern Ireland. Since launching the JAM Card initiative in 2012, the scheme has been a resounding success with more than 2,500 organisations across the region participating in the training programme. With its non-verbal communication approach, JAM enables those with learning difficulties or communication barriers to feel more comfortable and confident in social situations.”

To find out more about the NOW Group’s services, visit: www.nowgroup.org

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The announcement is the latest move by the retailer in demonstrating its commitment to diversity and inclusion as part of its award-winning and globally recognised People Strategy.

Lidl has also supported the autism community over the past number of years, having already implemented a number of dedicated in-store customer initiatives including autism-friendly evenings and becoming the first JAM Card-friendly supermarket in Northern Ireland in 2021.

The newly launched Open College Network Northern Ireland (OCN NI) approved Retail Skills Academy with Lidl Northern Ireland will support NOW Group participants in “host” stores across the region, to gain new skills and on-the-job training with Northern Ireland’s fastest-growing supermarket retailer.

Launched in 2018, NOW Group’s dedicated Skills Academies span key industries including Tourism, Catering, Hospitality, Cleaning, Digital, Warehousing, and Business Administration, to meet growing demand for jobs in these sectors and to ensure participants have the opportunity to gain skills and employment in jobs for the future, matching training needs to areas of high job opportunities.

Combining theoretical classroom learning over 15 weeks, which sees successful candidates graduate with OCN NI Level 1 Award in Retail Business – an equivalent GCSE-level qualification – with real world experience provided by Lidl Northern Ireland, students will benefit from an in-store retail placement of up to 40 hours, across its network of 41 stores in Northern Ireland.

Sean Hanna, Director of Services at NOW Group, said: “The new Retail Skills Academy is a pioneering initiative which allows participants to experience a real working environment and gain knowledge of industry specific skills, whilst also encouraging their independence, resilience and enhancing employment opportunities.

“We’re delighted to expand our Skills Academy offering into the retail sector and to extend our existing partnership with Lidl Northern Ireland. As a certified Top Employer, Lidl Northern Ireland is an ideal strategic partner to help us deliver this first-of-its-kind programme to support more people living with autism and learning difficulties into a pathway to employment.

‘We continually strive to create an exceptional place to work and to build a suite of industry-leading career development opportunities’

“Our dedicated Skills Academies are focused on providing our participants with training into jobs of the future, so we’re delighted to partner with a company which, as market leader, truly represents a dynamic industry with huge potential in terms of life-long careers and opportunity.”

Participants will benefit from access to a dedicated Lidl Northern Ireland mentor who will support their training and professional development. Students will also have the opportunity to learn a wide range of skills through in-store placements across customer service, health and safety, sales and merchandising, distribution and monitoring and problem-solving within retail business.

Conor Boyle, Regional Managing Director at Lidl Northern Ireland, said: “As a certified Top Employer by the Top Employer’s Institute, and Business Eye’s Employer of the Year in Northern Ireland, we place accessibility and diversity at the heart of our People Strategy.

“I’m thrilled to launch this new Retail Skills Academy programme and build upon our established relationship with NOW Group to further support people living with autism and learning difficulties.

“We continually strive to create an exceptional place to work and to build a suite of industry-leading career development opportunities, and the new Retail Skills Academy further demonstrates our commitment to enabling equal employment opportunities for all.”

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She succeeds immediate Past President, Paul Murnaghan of BT.

Cathal Geoghegan, Managing Director of Henderson Foodservice is the membership organisation’s new Vice-President.

Born in Northern Ireland, Gillian grew up in Canada where she worked as a barrister and solicitor, specialising in employment law.  After returning to Northern Ireland in 2001, she worked for the Viridian Group, becoming HR Director in 2011. She is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, a Chartered Director and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors.  In a voluntary capacity, she also sits on the Board of NOW Group and the Governance, Nominations and Remuneration Committee of Ulster University.

Speaking at NI Chamber’s Annual General Meeting, Gillian McAuley said: “I am delighted to become the 176th President of NI Chamber. It is a personal and professional honour to take up a position which has been held by some of the region’s most eminent businesspeople since 1783. As President, I am really looking forward to working with Chief Executive Ann McGregor and the team as we continue to support our members.

“Right now, investment continues to pour into Northern Ireland, yet our businesses all face a series of unprecedented challenges. Now more than ever, NI Chamber has a hugely important role to play. Our members’ resilience is being pushed like never before – from soaring costs, labour and skills shortages, to supply chain issues and uncertainty around the Protocol.

“For the best possible outcomes in these challenging times, we need our political parties to seize the chance to stand together in partnership with business.

“If we can start there, perhaps we can finally move from crisis to opportunity. At NI Chamber, we’re committed to doing everything we can to facilitate progress, which will be an important focus during my term in office.”

New Vice-President Cathal Geoghegan added: “I am extremely proud to be appointed as Vice-President. NI Chamber is a well-respected business support organisation, with local roots and extensive international links.

“The organisation sits at the heart of our economy, helping businesses to help each other. That partnership approach has never been more important and the practical support it is currently providing to businesses across sectors is crucial.

“As Vice-President, l look forward to helping cement NI Chamber’s position at the forefront of business support and representation.”

Caption – Paul Murnaghan (Past-President, NI Chamber), Gillian McAuley (President, NI Chamber and Cathal Geoghegan (Vice-President, NI Chamber)

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The announcement comes ahead of World Autism Day on Friday 2 April and is the latest move by the retailer in demonstrating its commitment to vulnerable customers and supports further in-store initiatives dedicated to meeting their needs.

World Autism Day

Earlier this year, Lidl completed a needs assessment by reaching out to autism charities in Ireland and discovered that more than 85% of respondents felt a form of voluntary identification would be beneficial at times when more vulnerable customers need ‘Just A Minute’ to relieve stress levels while shopping. In response to this, Lidl has been working closely with the NOW Group which supports people with learning difficulties and autism.

The organisation developed the JAM Card with its service users designed to allow users additional time and patience when in people facing environments such as supermarkets. Over the coming weeks, Lidl Northern Ireland is rolling out detailed JAM Card training and tools to employees in their 41 stores nationwide with hopes that the new initiative will help to support customers with learning difficulties, autism, or communication barriers.

JAM Card was originally developed for those with learning disabilities and difficulties. However, it can be used by anyone with a communication barrier including people with Asperger’s or autism. It can also be used by those who have a brain injury and people who may feel self-conscious about their ability to effectively communicate when engaging with others.

Angela Connan, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Lidl Northern Ireland said “We’re delighted to be the first retailer in Northern Ireland to become JAM Card friendly across all 41 stores. This initiative is another positive step in our journey to becoming a more accessible retailer for everyone and a great example of how we actively listen to our customers’ feedback and make tangible actions.

“By becoming JAM Card friendly, we’re furthering our commitment to providing excellent customer care and, alongside our existing in-store initiatives such as dedicated weekly autism evenings, we’re helping support vulnerable customers even further. We hope that all of our customers will feel even more comfortable while shopping in stores, with the assurance that our employees will understand and give those who need some extra time, ‘Just a Minute’.”

NOW Group

NOW Group Ambassador, Ciarán Delaney, has tirelessly promoted the JAM Card across the island of Ireland and is a leading advocate for the rights of disabled people.

“The JAM Card supports and encourages independence for those with a range of disabilities.  I am thrilled that Lidl Northern Ireland has become JAM Card friendly; it means their customers can shop with confidence knowing that staff will discreetly acknowledge that some shoppers might just need a bit more time”, he said.

The JAM Card is available free of charge to anyone who needs it. For more information, please visit www.jamcard.org.

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