SWALLOW Charity is raising funds to continue and enhance our Employment Support Scheme and widen access to employment for our learning disabled members. This will include supporting members to increase their skills, seek work in the community and to create paid work opportunities at SWALLOW.
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Beneficiaries
Impact areas
Statistics regarding the number of people with learning disabilities in paid employment in England remain chronically low, at just 6%. This compares with 75% of the general population. Our members face many barriers to finding work – lack of confidence, communication differences, lack of experience and qualifications and also external perceptions. We aim to break down these barriers, both with individuals and among wider society including employers.
We support adults with learning disabilities to reach their dream of having a job. We currently support 56 members each week gain work experience across our two community cafes, as well as our craft and horticulture projects. We want to offer more paid work opportunities, through pop-up cafes, our Gardening in the Community project and permanent roles within SWALLOW. For our members, being paid for their hard work and effort has huge benefits, boosting confidence and feelings of self-worth.