Patchworker Spotlight: Chloe Tear

Community and Employer Stories, Patchworker Spotlights,

Patchworker Spotlight: Chloe Tear

Chloe Tear is a disability blogger, freelancer and content designer from Leeds, UK. Living with cerebral palsy, Chloe is also registered blind. Chloe kindly spoke to us about her experiences, the development of her blogging platform, and her disability advocacy work.

To start, could you please tell us about yourself?

I'm Chloe. I've been blogging for 9 years. I focus my content on my lived experiences of having cerebral palsy and being registered blind. I'm particularly passionate about challenging public attitudes toward disabled people, access to education and disability hate crime. For my day job, I work as a content designer for Scope. As part of my role, I write their information and advice content. We aim to write material that enables disabled people to make informed decisions about their life.

Can you tell us a bit more about your story?

I started my blog at the age of 15, while I was completing my GCSEs. In honesty, I felt out of touch with my peers and sought out disabled role models in my life. I then studied Psychology and Child Development at university and graduated with a First Class Honours degree. During this time I started freelancing and public speaking. This led to me winning several awards for my writing and campaigning. Among these, I was recognised in the Shaw Trust Power 100 List as one of the most influential disabled people in Britain.

I was born with mild cerebral palsy, but it was only at university that I began to lose my sight. I was registered as partially sighted, and last year this changed to registered blind. I've been on the waiting list for a guide dog for 18 months. I cannot wait! I've just moved into my first home, and having a guide dog will enable my independence.

Have you faced any workplace barriers due to your situation? Do you think the ‘conventional’ world of work most employers use needs to change?

As I work within the disability charity sector and for a Disability Confident employer, I’ve been very fortunate. I work 4 days a week and this allows me to manage my condition and continue freelancing. My role also enables me to work from home. Without these adjustments, employment wouldn't be sustainable.

If you could change one thing about the world of work or the way employers saw accessibility, what would it be and why?

Working from home can truly open up the world of employment. I think it's really important to have flexibility as well.

What inspired you to start doing the work you currently do?

At the age of 15, I'd never met anyone with cerebral palsy. In a way, I was left stuck between the non-disabled and disabled world. Writing was my escape to process what was happening. I certainly didn't expect it to become my job! I just wanted to ensure that no one felt alone.

What is the biggest lesson you have learnt from your career to date?

Listen to your body. Originally, I really wanted to work full-time. I also felt like I had something to prove. However, I'm so much happier working 4 days a week as it has enabled me to manage my condition and do the things I love.

Do you have a favourite quote or personal mantra?

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.” — Maya Angelou.

If you could change one thing about people's perception of disability, what would it be?

Being disabled isn't the worst thing in the world. We can live happy lives and succeed. Also, we don’t 'overcome' our condition or achieve things 'despite' being disabled.

Find out more about Chloe’s story and work:

Visit Chloe’s website

Follow Chloe on Instagram

Follow Chloe on Twitter

Like Chloe’s Facebook

Contact Chloe on LinkedIn

Published: 11th June 2022

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I found a job through Patchwork Hub – a senior level position with a leading financial services company. Throughout the process I felt supported by very dedicated people, both at Patchwork Hub and the company, and it was really refreshing to be able to openly talk about my health condition and not feel like I had to actively avoid the subject. Their support was simply invaluable.

Ditte

Patchworker

I applied for a job through Patchwork Hub and secured employment at a FTSE 100 company. That is so fantastic, not just for my bank account and CV but also my confidence. Without Patchwork Hub – both its accessibility and the support and understanding they offer– this would not have happened for me. A platform taking a proactive approach to raising awareness amongst employers, and approaching disability inclusion in a way where we're not othered, is transformational.

Rock

Patchworker

Patchwork Hub are leading a critical culture change in work and health for employers as we move into our 'new normal'. Bringing together global businesses, charities and experts to create accessible work opportunities for those currently excluded by traditional work practises, and challenging assumptions around a hidden pool of talent.

Lord Dennis Stevenson

As a company committed to diversity and equality of opportunity, we are excited to be partnering with Patchwork Hub and are looking forward to further building our relationship with Beth and the business. This platform allows us to connect with highly-skilled individuals we might not otherwise reach. Patchwork Hub hosts a growing pool of very capable and diverse talent which offers businesses unique recruitment potential, while helping to strengthen a company’s social impact.

St James's Place

FTSE 100 employer

I secured employment with a FTSE 100 company through Patchwork Hub. I would like to thank Beth and the team for helping me through the recruitment process and being there to give advice and support throughout my placement. It was refreshing to be honest about my condition and know that the company was ‘disability aware’ and would be inclusive and understanding too. This meant that I was able to focus on my job, learn from my colleagues and feel part of the team. I would advise others to make the most of this unique platform, its placement schemes and the opportunities they provide.

Ben

Patchworker

Patchwork Hub is an incredible organisation, making great strides towards bridging the gap between employers and ‘the UK’s hidden talent pool’. This is not limited to the one million disabled people in the UK navigating access to traditional job roles but extends across society to all those facing barriers. Patchwork Hub is where employees, who are experiencing the challenge of skills shortages, can come to unlock this talent pool, equally supporting employers and employees, and enabling society as a whole to thrive.

Q5

Annabel Tonge, Q5 Director (Employer)

Patchwork Hub's work will be invaluable to anyone for whom conventional work is not feasible. Having been suffering with health issues over the last few months myself and coming from a family of carers, mental illness sufferers, and disability, I've experienced firsthand the impact Patchwork Hub has on real lives. As well as offering employment opportunities, the unique offerings of community and the upcoming freelancing platform really set Patchwork Hub apart. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how valuable work-from-home opportunities are, and Patchwork Hub has been ahead of the curve in their aim to provide working opportunities for as many people as possible.

Mia

Featured Patchworker, Oxford University

Lauren

Patchworker, Digital Marketing

Patchwork Hub is THE next-gen employment platform that's placing accessibility first - something that many companies in the same space should be looking up to.

WithVR

Gareth Walkom, CEO

Working with Patchwork Hub was an amazing insight into a startup leading the culture change in the world of work. Beth is extremely passionate and incredibly knowledgeable, and her start-up is providing critical information for companies looking to become more accessible and inclusive. The world of work has permanently changed following the pandemic, and Patchwork Hub provides a great insight into what the future of work should look like.

Lucas

Digital Marketing Executive

I think Patchwork Hub's ethos is really remarkable and special. Especially during times like these (Covid), where the need for accessible work has become more evident than ever, shining a light on the work they do is doubly important. I can only see their mission becoming more and more essential as time goes on. during times like these (Covid), where the need for accessible work has become more evident than ever, shining a light on the work they do is doubly important. I can only see their mission becoming more and more essential as time goes on.

Natalie

Featured Patchworker, University of Oxford

Disability inclusion is not a chore or cost, it's a massive business opportunity. We're so thrilled to be working with Patchwork Hub as a disability-owned business and leader in this space, ensuring we are doing all we can to attract and retain diverse talent.

2Gether-International

Keevin O'Rourke, Managing Director | Startup Accelerator & Venture Fund (Employer)

Patchworker Spotlight: Chloe Tear

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Patchworker Spotlight: Chloe Tear

To start, could you please tell us about yourself?

Can you tell us a bit more about your story?

Have you faced any workplace barriers due to your situation? Do you think the ‘conventional’ world of work most employers use needs to change?

If you could change one thing about the world of work or the way employers saw accessibility, what would it be and why?

What inspired you to start doing the work you currently do?

What is the biggest lesson you have learnt from your career to date?

Do you have a favourite quote or personal mantra?

If you could change one thing about people's perception of disability, what would it be?

Find out more about Chloe’s story and work:

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