‘Lollipop Lorna’ loves job on crossing patrol
A disabled jobseeker is back on the road to success after landing a job as a school crossing patroller following four years of frustration as she looked for work.
Lorna‘the lollipop lady’ Gibson now conscientiously patrols the crossing at Airbles Street in Motherwell, ensuring children cross safely to and from Glencairn Primary.
The 52-year-old has epilepsy and worked for 25 years in a factory for disabled workers until its closure in 2012. Despite not having a seizure for more than 25 years and her condition being medically controlled, Lorna struggled to find work and made good use of her time volunteering for a charity shop.
“I applied for hundreds of jobs but got nowhere,” said Lorna.“Although I’d worked most of my life, I didn’t have any up-to-date skills to offer employers.
“Once you’ve been unemployed for a long time it feels like no-one will give you a chance.”
Lorna was referred to employment specialist Ingeus in Motherwell and promptly brushed up her CV and computer skills and attended workshops on confidence building and job searching. When Ingeus advised Lorna of the school crossing patrol vacancy, she jumped at the chance to do something completely different and was promptly employed by North Lanarkshire Council.
The senior officer for school patrols at the council, Finlay Bruce, said: “Lorna was interested and enthusiastic at the interview and I had no hesitation in offering her a job.
“We don’t pre-judge anyone on their background and we’ve recruited a reliable, friendly and well-liked member of the team.”
Lorna works at the start and end of the school day, whatever the weather, and is delighted to be back in work.
“It’s great being able to serve the local community and do something that keeps me fit and active,” said Bellshill woman Lorna.
“The parents and children are really friendly and I love having a purpose in life again.”