Young disabled people gain work shadowing opportunities across the UK

Volunteering Matters (formerly CSV) launches a new wave of work shadowing placements throughout the UK this week, designed to inspire young people with physical and learning disabilities into work and tackle employer’s misconceptions about hiring disabled employees.

The Inspiring Disabled Young People programme, created by Volunteering Matters and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) was launched in December 2014, with the aim of showcasing the skills of young disabled people who are facing barriers when it comes to pursuing employment.

The next wave of placements will take place throughout the month of March, with young people aged between 16 to 25-years-old with disabilities taking part in work shadowing days across the UK.

They include teenagers with hearing impairments, autism and other physical and learning difficulties, who have been unable to find paid employment.

They will shadow employees across retail, local government, heritage sites and public sector to gain valuable work experience.

Placements will include the Queens Ferry Crossing Project in Scotland, The Scottish Natural Heritage, Vodafone retailers across the UK and BBC’s The One Show, amongst others.

Oonagh Aitken, Volunteering Matters Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to work with DWP once again to roll out these important opportunities. Many disabled people face barriers when it comes to work, particularly during the transition from leaving school into their first job, with some unable to find work and employers worry about accommodating any extra needs they may have or any additional costs they might incur.

“We know its of upmost importance for disabled people to be able to use the skills they have in a work environment, and by offering these placements once again, we hope inspire young people into considering a future career, help them gain real work experience and show that many employers like those taking part in this initiative, do value and employ disabled people.”

The programme which runs until the summer will see 100 young disabled people taking part in three work shadowing days, to gain vital work experience and to inspire them into pursuing suitable careers with their skills.

For press enquiries please contact Amanda Francis at Volunteering Matters,
amanda.francis@volunteeringmatters.org.uk
020 3780 5880 / 07754698854