Employment and inclusion gives confidence and pride People with learning disabilities are often socially isolated. They can be excluded from the labour market leaving them without financial independence and freedom of choice. People First runs a Hospitality Academy in Carlisle that provides education for 25 vulnerable people per year. To help graduates move into employment, People First has set up the Creating Careers employability project. Launched in 2024, the project matches local employers with vulnerable people who are looking for work. Two Job Coaches will assess learners for independence and work-ready skills and support them over 6-12 weeks into work placements. People First will identify the industries, businesses and types of work that would suit people’s skills, abilities and aspirations. Potential employers will be supported with advice about necessary adaptations. David Blacklock, CEO of People First, said: “Our learners tell us they want the same opportunities that others have, and we believe that equal employment is a powerful catalyst for change. Our primary outcome is long-term employment, pride, satisfaction and purpose.” The Foundation has provided £24,649 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund on behalf of Cumberland Council to set up this project and during the pilot that this funding supported, three individuals who had a work placement went on to be offered paid employment. One individual with a mild learning disability and Cerebral Palsy had been attending People First’s Hospitality Programme for five years. He needed support with fine motor skills, reading and writing and worked best if given one task at a time. He was placed with Thomas Graham, a Carlislebased steel stockholder and industrial retailer employing over 200 people. In this very different environment, he was given tasks such as scanning stock, picking orders and helping to serve customers. While he still required support from the Job Coach with reading and inputting information, his confidence increased. He struck up a friendship with a colleague who he now goes for a pint with and plays games with online, a form of social connection he hadn’t experienced before. Thomas Graham saw his potential and offered him paid, permanent work for 12 hours a week and he quickly accepted. David Blacklock said: Woodworking provides a community tool for Brampton The Brampton Woodworkers’ Club is based at Brampton Community Centre and has been on the go for 20 years now. Its sessions run from 9am to 4pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, and with 45 members and a waiting list, it is clearly popular. Membership is open to all adults in the wider community. The vast majority are retired with the average age being around 70 and a gender split of approximately 60% men to 40% women. People hear about the club by word of mouth, or simply from passing the Community Centre when the sessions are running. While the bulk of members are from Brampton and the surrounding area, people travel from as far as Workington to attend. The Foundation provided £1,000 from the Laurel House Brampton Fund to purchase a range of hand and machine tools to replace or supplement the club’s existing range of equipment. As well as helping to ensure health and safety standards are maintained, the new equipment has enabled more members to do similar work at the same time, and helped introduce them to new tools and methods. Members work on their own projects under the guidance of the experienced tutor, Jane Angus. The members tend to work in different groups with some using wood turners to make items such as bowls and table legs, while others work on larger items such as benches, boxes, planters, and even dining tables. As well as providing technical guidance for the participants’ projects, Jane helps organise social events for members. There’s a Christmas meal and a barbeque in the summer for those who want to attend. Club Treasurer Angus Timmins said: “Membership could help reduce social isolation for some through the social side of things, both at the events, and at the regular sessions. There’s quite a few who have a good catch up with each other when they arrive for the sessions. Members are very supportive of each other and the extra equipment has enhanced this with a definite feel good factor when the equipment arrived." “Everyone really appreciates the work that Jane puts in, both to the sessions themselves and to the socials. It’s fair to say the club provides a great benefit for the community.” “More than work, this shows the social inclusion, the development of pride, skills and confidence and the independence that can be achieved when we help people and employers think differently about work.” A member of the Brampton Woodworkers’ Club uses the bobbin sander A Hospitality Academy placement at Bartons Yard in Carlisle 25 YEARS OF POWERING STRONGER COMMUNITIES 12 13
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