A BORDERS-BASED hair salon has made the cut at an awards ceremony recognising businesses promoting disability employment.

Aquarius Hair Design in Earlston is on the shortlist for the Small Business Award at the Department of Work and Pensions Disability Confident Awards.

The ceremony recognises those businesses leading the way to develop opportunities for disabled people.

The Disability Confident Scheme is part of the government’s drive to support thousands of disabled people into work and fulfil their potential.

Aquarius Hair Design, which is a DWP Disability Confident Leader, works closely with the Down Syndrome Society to provide education and employment opportunities to disabled people.

The business employs two people with learning difficulties, who are great ambassadors for other disabled people in the area but have also allowed the business to recognise and overcome any barriers their clients may have.

Winners will be announced on April 30 at Business Disability Forum’s Disability Smart Awards 2024 in London, which will also be streamed online.

Other awards include the DWP’s Disability Confident Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace Award and the Disability Confident Impact Award.

Aquarius owner Morag Sterrick said: “We are proud to offer adapted employment and work experience to those with learning disabilities and are delighted to be finalists in the Disability Confident Small Business category.

“We all love working here. Me and my colleagues Megan, Katrina and Cody work together really well and always give professional cheerful service to our diverse clientèle.”