Metrocentre has teamed up with Gateshead Council to champion inclusive practices with two new short films aimed at encouraging more employers to support people with learning disabilities or who are neurodivergent into work.

The short films, which were commissioned by Gateshead Access to Employment Service (GATES), the Council’s supported employment service, and will be screened during Learning Disability Week, 15 to 21 June, feature two of Metrocentre’s long-serving colleagues – Philippa, who has Down syndrome, and Emily, who has autism – sharing what their roles involve and their careers mean to them.

Philippa, who this year celebrates 10 years’ service, was the first Metrocentre employee to be recruited with help from the GATES team who offer their clients free, expert support with everything from job-matching and applications to travel training, on-the-job coaching and regular reviews.

Having originally undertaken a short placement, Philippa went on to secure and maintain a permanent role with the centre’s Customer Service team, joined the following year by Emily. Both have since gone on to increase their hours, roles and responsibilities over the years.

Centre Director at Metrocentre, Gavin Prior, said: “The theme for Mencap’s Learning Disability Week 2026 is ‘Do you see me?’, which is all about people with a learning disability being seen, heard and valued, and feels very apt. You only need to spend a few moments in the company of Philippa or Emily to see that they are highly valued, hugely popular members of the team who have steadily grown in confidence and skills through their careers.

“Our hope, with the new short films produced in partnership with GATES, is to raise awareness of the benefits of supporting those with learning disabilities or who are neurodivergent into work – both to the individual and to the employer – and encourage others to get involved, creating more opportunities here in the North East.”

Steph Downey, Strategic Director for Adult Social Care, Commissioning, Communities and Culture at Gateshead Council, said: “We’re so grateful to Emily and Philippa for sharing their stories. It’s powerful to see and hear how employment has changed their lives and the positive way they’ve impacted Metrocentre too. On the back of this, we’re calling on more employers to work with us to open up opportunities for disabled people to find careers where they can thrive.”

A special screening of the short films, both of which will also be shared on social media, will be held at 11am on Tuesday 16 June in Exhibition Square, attended by representatives of Metrocentre, GATES and retailers, along with Philippa, Emily and their families.

Philippa’s mother, Margaret, commented: “Philippa’s life has changed so much since starting work at Metrocentre. She feels valued, her confidence has grown and, thanks to the support of GATES, she can get the bus to and from work on her own which has been beneficial for her independence. It’s been a rewarding experience in so many ways.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by Emily’s mum, Sharon: “Everyone in the household goes to work and Emily is no different. GATES has supported her throughout, from developing the skills to travel to work to adapting to new tasks, as have her colleagues at Metrocentre who she loves. How fantastic to see Emily develop and achieve what once we could only have hoped for.”

Metrocentre’s long-standing partnership with GATES is one of several initiatives underway to help more individuals with learning disabilities or who are neurodivergent gain work-ready experience or employment, with the centre also working with Hiyed CIC, Newcastle College and the North East Autism Society, amongst others.

In addition, the Customer Service team has undergone training in both Down syndrome and autism awareness, as well as how to make practical, meaningful adjustments in the workplace.