You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
From the frontline - Kieran Dean
Irwell Valley’s administration assistant Kieran Dean on the challenges of being a visually impaired employee and his knack for cooking the perfect chicken tikka masala
What does your job involve?
My job is very varied and I work for different teams during the week, including income management, repairs and lettings.
How did you get into housing?
Through an apprenticeship scheme at college. At the time, I was doing my European Computer Driving Licence level 2 [for visually impaired people]. I did an apprenticeship with Irwell Valley for a year and was then offered a permanent position. Before I started, I was a volunteer for local charity Bolton Society for Blind People, but I was eager to gain full-time employment and I am grateful for the opportunity from Irwell Valley.
READ MORE
What would you change about the sector?
I would remove the bedroom tax as I think it puts additional pressure on people who are already in difficult circumstances. Many of my friends with visual impairments have been affected by the bedroom tax and I have become even more familiar with it since working in the social housing sector.
What’s your dream job?
My dream job would be a chef. I did a catering qualification at college. I cook for my family at the weekends and they haven’t been poisoned yet! My signature dish is chicken tikka masala and I also made Christmas dinner last year – everyone survived! At home I have some specialist equipment, like my talking microwave and scales and a liquid indicator. They are so smart.
How do you relax away from work?
I used to play blind cricket for Lancashire. I have a Manchester United season ticket and have been going to games for 10 years. I also enjoy walking my guide dog, Faith, and socialising with friends at the pub.
What’s the first thing you’d do if you became prime minister?
I would invest in the NHS. People wouldn’t be able to survive without the good medical treatment that the NHS offers. I wouldn’t be alive today without their help and support; when I was a baby I was in hospital for 12 months with kidney problems and had numerous operations.
What would be your superpower?
The power of vision, so I could see more than just what’s in front of my nose and avoid the lamp posts and bollards I have been walking into for the past 30 years!
