Close to people | Stories from Bethel
A craft with an inventive spirit
Making work easier for disabled people
When Stephan Sachse is in the workshop, every tenth of a millimetre counts - that's the only way the individual parts made of solid metal will fit together exactly afterwards. The 46-year-old works in fixture construction, which is part of Bethel's workshops for people with disabilities. This is where aids and tools are manufactured to make people's everyday work easier. Modern technology is used here - from 3D printers to computer-controlled milling machines.
The aids that are produced in the fixture construction department are tailored precisely to people's needs. A knee lever might help someone with spasticity in their arm. Those who can't count are given a counting board. Solutions are found for many problems. Simple and technically complex ones. "I like the variety here - and there's always something to do," says Stephan Sachse, who has a serious chronic illness himself, about his day-to-day work. "Some time ago, we built a special holder for a wheelchair user. This means he can now transport plastic crates around the workshop on his own and is no longer dependent on help from others." Entire machines that help with the assembly of components are also specially constructed.
Stephan Sachse worked for many years on the primary labour market as a mechanic in toolmaking for industry. Since he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis ten years ago, he can no longer do his old job. Among other things, he suffers from fatigue - a special form of tiredness that manifests itself in exhaustion and extreme fatigue. "Some days I just can't do anything," reports Stephan Sachse. "Then I get up in the morning and feel like I've been awake non-stop for weeks."
At the Bethel workshop for people with disabilities, this is exactly what is taken into account. "If I'm feeling poorly and need a break, I get the opportunity to do so here. And if it takes a little longer to produce a workpiece, that's okay. That wouldn't work for me in the private sector at the moment," he says.
"Working here is a great opportunity for me. And a great fortune."
The technical jewel in the crown of the fixture construction department is the modern milling machine, which was purchased with the help of donations. It enables even complex workpieces to be machined out of metal blocks. Thanks to training, Stephan Sachse can programme the machine independently. Knowledge of modern technology is important in order not to lose touch when returning to the primary labour market. "I've always enjoyed working with my hands - and metal is a material I particularly like," he says. "Working here is a great opportunity for me. And a great stroke of luck."
Text: Marten Siegmann | Photos: Christian Weische
This story simply told
Stephan Sachse works in fixture construction. This is part of Bethel's workshops for people with disabilities. Aids and tools are manufactured here. They are designed to make everyday work easier for people. The aids are tailored precisely to people's needs. Stephan Sachse also has an illness.
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Offers & services
In proWerk's workshops for disabled people, people with disabilities or mental impairments can take part in everyday working life. They work here in the area that corresponds to their abilities, wishes and interests. Within the workshop, the spectrum of work ranges from simple activities to very demanding tasks, such as setting up and operating machines.
