Partnerships support people with learning disabilities to move toward meaningful, paid employment

The Employment for People with Learning Disabilities Fund invested almost £68,000 in 4 partnership projects in late 2021. Thanks to their first year of delivery, 47 people with learning disabilities have benefitted from the support so far. 

The programme, delivered in partnership with the Leeds Learning Disability Employment Task Group, focuses on high-quality, collaborative activity. Funded Community Organisations are working with other organisations and statutory services on their projects, which are supporting people to access employment: from learning the necessary skills, to securing and keeping a paid job. We know from Public Health England that only about 6% of working-age people with learning disabilities in England are in work, so support like this is much needed. 

Activities include work-based training in a café, work clubs offering 1:1 and peer support, volunteering opportunities and work placements, and job coaching training for key workers. Of the people supported so far, 35 have reported improved practical skills, and 27 improved numeracy and/or literacy skills, thanks to taking part in these activities. 

One organisation, Pyramid of Arts, has been working in partnership with People Matters and United Response, with the support of Leeds City Council Employment and Skills Service. They’re delivering an adapted version of the Leeds City Council pre-employability course ‘Developing You’. In the first year, 16 people completed the course which included work-readiness and health and wellbeing sessions, alongside information about future opportunities from guest speakers and visits to other organisations. 

The partnerships and connections developed have provided ongoing support, with 12 participants continuing to work with the Employment and Skills Service, 8 people volunteering or applying to volunteer and 1 person starting a work placement. 

Pyramid of Arts said “O was in the first cohort. He particularly enjoyed the boat trip out with Canal Connections and has since been volunteering there, supporting the work of Canal Connections in maintaining and improving the waterways. He is keen to work on canal boats in the future and is supporting new Canal Connections attendees, passing on the skills he has learned.” 

Thanks to this and the other 3 partnerships, participants have learned many practical skills including hospitality and catering, money management, using digital, and people skills. They’re also broadening their horizons, and their confidence and motivation has increased. 

With another year of activity to go, there is more to be gained and learned from the Employment for People with Learning Disabilities Fund. We look forward to sharing more outcomes once the grants are complete.