A determined Dereham man who overcame many barriers to achieve the job of his dreams is celebrating winning a national award.Simon Childerhouse was given a STAR Individual Achievement Award by Shaw Trust, which helps disabled and disadvantaged people to achieve work and independence through employment.

A determined Dereham man who overcame many barriers to achieve the job of his dreams is celebrating winning a national award.

Simon Childerhouse was given a STAR Individual Achievement Award by Shaw Trust, which helps disabled and disadvantaged people to achieve work and independence through employment.

Mr Childerhouse, 40, who suffers from severe epilepsy and has learning difficulties was determined to get back to work after being forced to give up a job through ill health two years ago.

Thanks to a Shaw Trust employment adviser he quickly landed a job as a care worker at Dorrington Care Centre in Dereham.

'I really want to work and hate being stuck at home so when Shaw Trust said they could help me I was really pleased but I never thought I would win an award,' he said.

His adviser Denise Sheed supported his job-hunting efforts by entering him for a confidence building course and helping him build up skills in CV writing. She also nominated him for the prestigious award.

She said: 'Simon has amazing motivation and he did everything we asked of him and he richly deserves this award. He was only with me for three months before he got this job, he was just so determined to find work. He didn't he dwell on his problems, he just went for it.'

Simon received his award from the Mayor of Dereham, Ann Bowyer, in a special ceremony held at Dorrington Care Centre.

Parents Ian and Marilyn Childerhouse said they were very proud of their son who had always been keen to work and determined, despite his problems.

The Individual Achievement accolade is one of 12 awards in eight categories. Winners are chosen from nominations received from across the whole of the UK.

Shaw Trust chief cxecutive Sally Burton said: 'Every year we work with over 75,000 clients who face barriers to employment due to disability, ill health or social circumstance and we believe that with the right support any barrier to employment can be overcome.'

Employers who would like to help disadvantaged people into work, or organisations who might be interested in partnering with Shaw Trust should contact it at www.shaw-trust.org