REDDITCH Job Centre arranged a work interview for a wheelchair user on the first floor of their own building on Easemore Road – without providing him with the means of attending it.
Texas Bishop says he was left humiliated and demoralised by the actions of the Job Centre staff and claims because he couldn’t ‘attend’ the interview he had his benefits withdrawn until his sister Kelly complained – a claim disputed by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
“I felt humiliated and just wanted to scream in frustration because I don’t want to be on benefits. I want to work but I keep being put in these ridiculous situations,” he said.
The 19-year-old, who has 11 GCSEs to his name, has had heart surgery and suffers from cerebral palsy.
The interview was for a position at major retailer Debenhams and had been arranged for the former RSA Arrow Vale Academy pupil upstairs at the Job Centre Plus.
“I got there in good time at 12 o’clock but couldn’t get up the stairs. Eventually they came down at about 3pm and chatted to me but I’d obviously missed the presentation,” said Texas.
He further claims he was told he would risk losing his benefits if he didn’t apply for every suitable job, a situation which saw him go for an interview with a local butcher.
“Me and the chap who interviewed me realised pretty quickly that it wasn’t a suitable job for me,” said the teenager who lives in Winyates with his mum Heather, his carer.
Texas is a well known figure locally having won a string of accolades including a Disability Access award, being named a West Midlands Hero, and earlier this year he picked up a Worcestershire Tryangle Award from Young Solutions.
He’s also a member of Redditch Youth and Community Enterprise (RYCE), volunteers for The Salvation Army, and has raised money for the disability charities Whizz Kidz and Caudwell Children, the latter seeing him abseiling down the outside of Walsall Art Gallery.
He’s also a member of the Bromsgrove Hotshots wheelchair basketball team.
“I just want people to see the person first and not the chair,” he said.
A spokesperson for the DWP said Texas’s benefits had been stopped, but only because the family had gone on holiday. They said: “Mr Bishop has not been sanctioned and at no stage has he been referred for an interview with a butcher’s shop.
“He was unable to attend the Debenhams’ work experience event due to access difficulties. Jobcentre Plus has apologised to Mr Bishop for this and at his next appointment will discuss with him any specialist support he may require in the future.”
4th Jun, 2026
