Four Voices on a Strong Partnership
Inclusion in Practice at Lorzensaal
Every Tuesday morning, Orly Nimi brings a breath of fresh air to Lorzensaal Cham. Ever since being placed through the zuwebe Foundation, this dedicated employee has been supporting Sandro Schgör’s facility management team on a weekly basis. In this article, Orly Nimi, Sandro Schgör (Head of Facility Management & Engineering), Marianne Sidler (Managing Director of Lorzensaal), and Sarah Grangier (Job Coach at zuwebe) share how they experience this collaboration from their various perspectives.
Orly, you work at Lorzensaal every Tuesday and have settled in well with the team. How are you finding your tasks here?
Orly Nimi: I enjoy my work at Lorzensaal. Sandro gives me clear tasks, such as dismantling and stacking chairs or cleaning the restrooms independently. Sandro is a cool boss. And I can talk about ice hockey with Nico from the team. For the future, I hope the team stays happy with me and that I can keep working at Lorzensaal for a long time.
You also gave it your all at the Special Olympics National Summer Games in Zug this summer and took home gold and silver. What was that like for you?
Orly Nimi: It was a great experience for me; there were so many spectators present. I have several gold medals at home now, which is super cool.
Sandro und Marianne, how did the collaboration with the zuwebe Foundation come about? And what has your experience been?
Sandro Schgör: The idea came about through a former employee who now works at the zuwebe Foundation. My experience has been positive across the board. Orly is very curious and brings a lot of positive energy and momentum to Lorzensaal. Of course, onboarding and guidance take a bit more time at first. But once the routines become familiar, that effort decreases significantly. Every person brings their own unique skills and strengths and deserves the opportunity to contribute and develop them.
Marianne Sidler: The partnership aligns perfectly with our understanding of social responsibility and inclusion in action. I particularly appreciate having a professional and dedicated partner at our side with zuwebe. For me, this collaboration beautifully illustrates what can happen when social institutions and businesses share responsibility and put inclusion into practice.
Sarah, what is your role as a Job Coach? And what makes working with Lorzensaal Cham special?
Sarah Grangier: As a Job Coach, I see myself primarily as a bridge builder. My role is to optimally structure the transition between the sheltered environment of our institution and the external host company. Orly and I have regular check-ins to ensure that work assignments at Lorzensaal and the zuwebe Foundation run smoothly. I am also in regular contact with Sandro Schgör and am always available to the Lorzensaal team for any questions or adjustments. This collaboration is definitely a role model: the Lorzensaal team approaches Orly with a great deal of empathy, but at the same time with professional normality. The teamwork happens on equal footing, which gives Orly a wonderful sense of belonging and strengthens his personal responsibility.
Marianne, why is supporting people with disabilities a matter close to the heart for Lorzensaal Cham?
Marianne Sidler: To me, true integration means that people with disabilities are a natural part of our daily lives—personally as well as professionally. As a public cultural and convention venue, we also bear a social responsibility. We are a place of connection, and we live this openness internally as well. Working together and learning from one another shouldn't be an exception, but a lived reality.
Sarah and Sandro, what advice would you give to other companies considering similar employment models?
Sarah Grangier: Don't be afraid to take the plunge. People in integration programs aren't looking for special treatment—they want to be a solid, valuable part of the team. Make sure to use us Job Coaches as a free resource. We guide the process, handle administrative questions, and help businesses give motivated individuals a real chance in the labor market.
Sandro Schgör: I can only encourage other businesses to embark on a model like this. Working with motivated people who approach their work with joy and interest is immensely rewarding. You should go into it with an open mind, take the necessary time to get started, and focus on the individual's strengths. It is definitely worth it.
