A former postie who was disabled in a car crash hopes to return to the world of work, thanks to a charity’s support.

Lesley Hawkins, of Coggeshall Road, Braintree, rarely socialised or left her home for more than three years.

She said: “Nearly three and a half years later, I had seriously given up hope of gaining employment because of my disabilities and also my age.

“But working with the Jobcentre I was put in contact with Shaw Trust, who fund disabled people to get work. They then put me in contact with Essex Coalition for Disabled People (ECDP).”

She joined the work placement programme, ECDP Works, in June and was given a six week work placement with Essex Police in Dunmow, which has since been extended.

“A couple of jobs have been advertised, which I should be able to apply for," she said.

Visit ecdp.org.uk/ecdpworks