A Dumbarton man with learning difficulties who lost his job at Cameron House Hotel after the devastating fire last Christmas has found another job.

James McKay is back in work at another hotel after seeking help from Fair Start Scotland, an employment support service managed in the west by leading social enterprise the Wise Group.

The 53-year-old, who finds it difficult to read or write, had been a friendly face at Cameron House, welcoming hotel guests for 14 years before the fire struck.

He said: “I really enjoyed working at Cameron House. I knew everyone in the team and they knew me.

“I had been looking for work since the fire, but found it hard to get my foot in the door.”

James met a work coach from Fair Start Scotland in July and began his new job in September.

James is close to his sister, who helps him with everyday tasks like paying bills and filling out forms.

It was important that his work coach built a trusting relationship with her as well as James to make sure he found a job that was right for him.

James added: “My work coach, Jim, took the time to get to know both me and my sister and together we started to find jobs that I could apply for.”

On his first Fair Start meeting, James was immaculately dressed, arrived early and had a huge smile on his face.

His previous manager even came with him for moral support.

Such was the impression left by James, his work coach decided to go the extra mile and approach local employers himself.

Within an hour of looking over his CV, the owners at the hotel invited James to an interview.

His friendly nature and years of experience earned him a trial in the kitchen and he was offered a job a week later.

Now, almost three months later, he is a well-kent face around the hotel and turning his hand to all sorts of tasks.

Chief executive of the Wise Group, Sean Duffy, said: “The Wise Group helps people build a better future, whether that’s building someone’s confidence to go for a job, providing vital energy advice to vulnerable customers or supporting people as they leave prison.

For more information on Fair Start Scotland, call 0300 303 33814.

See www.thewisegroup.co.uk/fairstart or email fairstart@thewisegroup.co.uk