Deaf man 'shocked' after being offered Christmas Waitrose job - with his own interpreter

A deaf man named Farid Alimardani was "shocked" when he was offered a job at Waitrose, complete with a personal sign language interpreter. He's now training to become a wine expert and is preparing for a busy Christmas season.

Farid, from Westminster, started working in the fruit and vegetable aisle at the Belgravia Waitrose five years ago. His interpreter and close friend, Emma Thomas, 39, from Hove, helps him communicate with customers.

In 2018, Farid applied for the Government's Access To Work programme, which supports people with disabilities or health conditions in joining or staying in the workforce.

READ MORE: Ancoats restaurant proudly owns ‘vegan k*******’ insult after foul-mouthed review

READ MORE: How the hottest kebabs you can buy went from a Longsight kitchen to the world

Before joining Waitrose, Farid worked as a kitchen aide in a cafe for six months without any support. Now, with Emma's help, he's looking forward to becoming a wine expert and handling the Christmas rush.

"Christmas is going to be super, super busy, with lots of customers asking questions and wanting help," Farid told PA Real Life, with Emma translating his sign language.

"Deaf or a hearing person, it really doesn't matter. I feel really proud to work at Waitrose and I'm really happy here."

"I had no idea about the Access To Work scheme. They give grants to deaf people to pay for an interpreter, but I didn't know that, I was really shocked".

Farid, who hails from Iran, started his job at Waitrose & Partners around five years ago, in 2018, after a friend suggested he should apply.

"My deaf friend, who I know really well, said he had been into Waitrose before and recommended that I should apply," he shared.

"He said that it was a