Get Involved
There are different ways you can be involved
Our Learning Programme
In Spring 2023 we launched the Academy of Empowered Employers.
We know that just asking employers to change the way that they recruit is really important, but what happens when a disabled person makes it to an interview? Whether or not that person is a successful candidate is in large part down to the attitudes of the employer. We also know that there is no-one-size-fits-all package of support that will work for every employer or all disabled people.
For that reason, we ran a programme of open learning events in Spring and Summer 2023, which was delivered by national training organisations and experts. A total of 50 different organisations in Gloucestershire, from a range of sectors, took part in this training to look at disabling barriers in the workplace. This training supported employers to make practical adjustments but also challenge thinking about disability. On our ‘Resources’ page you can find more information from these training sessions which may be helpful for your workplace.
As part of the campaign, we are also collaborating with disability employment experts Evenbreak. They are running learning sessions for partner organisations of the Empowered Employers campaign.
Below is a short film from Disability Rights UK, one of the training providers that highlights what was involved in some of the training.
Share our Resources
Connect with us on our social media channels. We will be sharing resources and social media and digital content that addresses the common misconceptions about disability and employment.
This content is available to view and download on our Resources page.
Media downloadsMeet our Partners
Empowered Employers has been co-designed by a group of organisations and businesses in Gloucestershire and Experts By Lived Experience. These employers, which include some of the largest commercial employers in the county, have been attending a series of learning sessions delivered by disability employment expert Jane Hatton (CEO of Evenbreak). Experts by Lived Experience have co-designed the content of these learning sessions. We will be documenting the outcomes from the employers’ learning and sharing these as part of the campaign.
Details of these partners can be found below by clicking on the logos below.
What do we do?
Barnwood Trust’s vision is to create the best possible environment in Gloucestershire for disabled people and people with mental health challenges to make the most of their lives. We act primarily as an agent of social change, working with disabled people and people with mental health challenges to change conditions impacting on them, using both the Trust’s financial and people resources to support that social change. Our goals are delivered through a programme of funding, listening and learning, and changing conditions.
Why did we start this campaign?
Disabled people, people with mental health challenges and neurodiverse people already make up the workforce but we also know that often unintentional barriers and attitudes mean that disabled people are paid less, aren’t in decision making positions and can’t always do the type of work that matters to them. This isn’t just bad for disabled people, it’s also bad for business.
Barnwood Trust
What do we do?
Clean Slate helps people on a low income to take control of their finances, find work (or better work) and feel confident online. Quids in! is our money skills initiative, which includes a website full of news, tips, tricks and guidance, a quarterly magazine and monthly Reader’s Club e-newsletter.
Why are we involved in the campaign?
We believe that with some small adjustments, employers can benefit from a much more diverse workforce.
Our Elements programme is successfully offering an alternative route into employment. We support people who have used our services and mentor them into work within the wider care and support industry. Many of our colleagues came to us for help at first and their life experience is now benefiting our clients.
Clean Slate Ltd
What do we do?
Hooray is an independent recruitment agency based in the heart of Cheltenham and Milton Keynes. Our recruitment consultants partner with candidates and businesses across the whole of the U.K, helping to bring the best talent, to the right job.
What aspect of the campaign do we feel is most important or relevant to our business?
Recruitment process and helping to implement processes to better help employers and employees as well as been part of the social change and awareness campaign to help shift attitudes and create a more inclusive working world.
Hooray Works
What do we do?
Hydro Aluminium have 3 aluminium extrusion manufacturing sites and 2 aluminium fabrication sites in the UK.
Why are we involved in the campaign?
We recognise that within our organization we are very good at the education of our employees and managers in equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging and we understand the benefits that having a diverse workforce can bring however when we then analyze our workforce diversity remains low. We don’t believe that our polices or practices purposely discriminate against anyone in particular however we are, we think, still failing to attract people from all sectors of our communities and we wish to change across all of our UK sites.
We are hoping that being part of this campaign may help me bring new ideas to the company in attracting all applicants and working with organisations to ensure that once attracted that we have the facilities and support in place to allow them a happy and fulfilling work environment.
Hydro
What do we do?
Renishaw is one of the world’s leading engineering and scientific technology companies, with expertise in precision measurement and healthcare. The company supplies products and services used in applications as diverse as jet engine and wind turbine manufacture, through to 3D printing, dentistry and brain surgery.
The Renishaw Group currently has 77 offices in 36 countries, with over 5,000 employees, of which over 2,500 people are employed within the UK. For the year ended June 2021 Renishaw achieved sales of £565.6 million, of which 95% was due to exports. The company’s largest markets are China, USA, Japan and Germany.
Why are we involved in the campaign?
Renishaw is committed to its journey of diversity and inclusion, and recognise that disability, mental health and neurodiversity are a key focus. As Gloucestershire’s largest private sector employer we are focused on being an inclusive employer and working hard to improve diversity within our business.
We are delighted to support the Empowered Employers campaign to continue the conversation with other partners around attitudes, policy, and adjustments. The learning programme will provide support to us in making the most of the skills of people with disabilities across our organisation, and help to recruit from the widest possible pool of talent.
Renishaw.com
What do we do?
Bringing joy, sparking curiosity, connecting communities, and inspiring change year-round with four world-class Festivals in Jazz, Science, Music and Literature, and charitable programmes for education, community, and talent development.
With programming that features the very best international artists, performers and speakers; unique experiences; and showcases up and coming talent, Cheltenham Festivals is at the centre of the UK’s cultural scene and boasts an enviable international reputation as leaders in our field.
Why did we start this campaign?
At Cheltenham Festivals we care deeply about inclusive practice and diversity; taking part in Empowered Employers has enabled us to understand the benefits of working with people with disabilities and deepened our understanding of how we can break down barriers and diversify our workforce in an equal and fair way.
Cheltenham Festivals
What we do?
The Grace Network creates and supports social enterprises which reinvest profits into their local communities through higher pay, community events and giving away free goods. Our local hubs nurture enterprise and human connection through our culture of optimism, hard work, diversity, tolerance and forgiveness. Together, people can thrive, make their ideas reality, and work towards a fairer and more resilient future.
Campaign?
We wanted to be part of the programme because we wanted to learn what the best practice is to build more autonomy, inclusivity, diversity and equality and how to go about putting it into practice and doing it. It has been a fabulous opportunity to learn from those with lived experience and to improve things across all our enterprises.
The Grace NetworkA word from our partners
Experts by Lived Experience
We also know that there are huge gaps in our understanding of the barriers disabled people face in gaining and staying in employment. Alongside the partners, we are working with a group of Experts by Lived Experience; people with a lived experience of mental health challenges and disabled people to help us shape the campaign.
If you have any questions or would like to know more please contact us
