New £3.3bn programme to support young disabled Londoners into jobs

A £3.3m programme has launched to open up employment opportunities for young disabled Londoners. Over the next three years, The City Bridge Trust’s Bridge to Work Programme will provide money for projects that offer employability support and strengthen links between employers and the disabled community. It will support young disabled people aged between 16 and 30, and should be fully up and running by September this year. The programme has three main aims: Supporting disabled people aged 16-30 into paid employment. Sustaining disabled people in paid employment through advice, support and developing good practice. Strengthening the links between potential employers and disabled young Londoners, including improving recruitment processes. From the £3.3 million, £350,000 will be made available to support paid work experience and internships for young disabled Londoners in charities and the private sector, with an emphasis on SMEs. Additionally, the programme aims to use learning from its projects to inform commissioners, policy makers, and other funders. Action on Disability, Inclusion London, Action for Kids, National Autistic Society, Muscular Dystrophy UK and Whizz-Kidz have all been invited to take part. Alison Gowman, chairman of the City Bridge Trust committee, said: “The organisations we are supporting through this new programme will really transform lives through their projects. We will be funding work which will give employers the support, skills and resources they need to increase opportunities for disabled people. “The programme has a wider mission and is looking to influence policy in this area and make real change for the better. “  

from UK Fundraising http://ift.tt/2ofWO7N