The first event of its kind: a conference for and by people with learning disabilities. Watch the 100 Voices video.

This was held on Saturday, 2nd July, at the BAWA Centre in Filton, Bristol. It was called ‘100 People:100 Voices’ because the voice of every single participant was important to the process. This was a conference that said what was important to everyone. Television and radio got involved. The big voice of disability activist Kaliya Franklin (of Benefit Scrounging Scum and The Broken of Britain fame) was heard, through her key-note speech.

What happened?  People with learning disabilities who are supported by Brandon Trust had already said there were four topics they wanted to talk about.  These were presented by delegates and voted on. The results were as follows:

• 1st Employment 39%
• 2nd Transport 30%
• 3rd Social Lives 17%
• 4th Green Issues 14%

At the end of the conference Brandon Trust committed to taking forward employment for people with learning disabilities as one of its key issues over the coming year.  Currently Brandon Trust only receives 2% of its annual income ring fenced to employment for the we people we support.  Things will quite clearly need to change.

• How can people with learning disabilities be given greater opportunity in the jobs market?
• Can commercial business, government and the social care sector work together to create viable and sustainable jobs for people with learning disabilities
• What role does voluntary work, part-time work and flexible working patterns have in increasing opportunities?

Our Actions on Employment

January 2012

The challenge for Brandon Trust was to create an action plan on Employment. At a time of national austerity it is hard to make things happen and we have had to be extremely proactive in exploring a way forward. The 10 Employment Initiatives outlined in this document explain what we are doing. Later in the year Brandon Trust will be publishing a new Employment Strategy to encourage employment for the people we support.