GETTING out of a warm bed to go to work on a winter's morning is difficult for most people, but for a young Moreton man it is a dream come true.

Four months after finishing college, 20-year-old Chris Bonner was having difficulty finding regular work and had been doing odd jobs for friends and neighbours to help him get by.

What Chris, who has a learning disability, really wanted was a full-time outdoor job, preferably working alongside other people and the opportunity came along through Pluss, a Social Enterprise that supports over 150 people with disabilities across Gloucestershire. The Enterprise is a prime contractor for the Department for Work and Pensions and delivers Work Choice, a specialist disability employment programme, as part of its major welfare reform programme.

His luck finally changed when Stonewood Builders, from Chippenham, notified Pluss of a labouring job on a large renovation job just a few miles from his home.

Pluss supported Chris at an interview with the employer and he was offered full-time work which involved working alongside the skilled tradespeople on the renovation and restoration of an old Georgian rectory in Moreton-in-Marsh.

Now an established part of the building team, Chris loves his new job and has settled well into the team on site. He has even mastered his fear of heights and is now able to work on scaffolding.

"I like being busy all day and having a laugh with the team. I have also learned new things like mixing up mortar and enjoy working with the brickies and carpenters, cutting wood and using tools. I am a lot more confident now," he said.

Stonewood Builders are equally happy with their latest recruit. Aaron Barton, the site supervisor, has watched him progress.

"He has come on in leaps and bounds, his timekeeping and attendance are impeccable and he is always helpful, coming to ask me what he can do next after completing each project.

"I have given him some responsibility for opening up and closing the site and he has taken this and grown in confidence. Chris is part of the team and works with everyone on site, helping all the different trades and learning from them."