Employment for People with Learning Disabilities Fund 2021

Leeds Community Foundation is delighted to partner with the Leeds Learning Disability Employment Task Group on this new programme. The Employment for People with Learning Disabilities Fund is supporting practical interventions that aim to increase the number of people with learning disabilities moving into meaningful, paid employment. 

In December 2021, 4 grants totalling £68,000 were awarded to Community Organisations across Leeds to deliver projects for up to 2 years. 

The organisations that were awarded funding are: 

• • • • Hamara Healthy Living Centre 
      • Health for All 

• • • • Lighthouse Futures Trust 
      • Pyramid of Arts

These organisations will be working in partnership with other Community Organisations and statutory services to deliver their activities. Their projects align with the ambitions of the Being Me Strategy, and will take a collaborative and joined-up approach to supporting people with learning disabilities into employment. 

The projects include: 

• • • • Café-based employment and additional training to develop practical life and work skills, including gaining an NVQ qualification in Principles of Food Safety for Catering. 
      • A network of work clubs providing one to one and peer support, group activities, and information and guidance to help members overcome barriers they face in identifying, securing and maintaining paid employment. 
      • A citywide Job Coaching training programme, specifically targeting key workers already supporting people with learning difficulties, aiming to significantly increase the pool of skilled job coaches in Leeds. 
      • A 12-week pre-employability programme, supporting with initial engagement and transitions into further education, employment or training and built upon two elements: health and wellbeing and work readiness. 

During and after their projects, these organisations will be sharing their learning with the Leeds Learning Disability Employment Task Group. Doing this will support Leeds in expanding on the practical ways in which it changes the way people think about learning disabilities. 

For more information on grants awarded, visit the What We’ve Funded page.