The disability equality charity Scope have entered a new partnership with Barclays until March 2023. The partnership will support hundreds of disabled young people to develop their skills and confidence. Funding comes from Barclays’ £100m COVID-19 Community Aid Package, set up to support more than 370 charity partners around the world to deliver vital relief to vulnerable communities impacted by the pandemic.
Funding will support Scope to develop two exciting new services:
Scope’s Youth Community Collective is a youth engagement programme. It is for young disabled and non-disabled people. The programme aims to empower young people who want to improve their local community for disabled people.
Groups of young people between 18 to 25 years old will meet in five locations in England and Wales. They will propose, lead, and develop new projects in their communities. Working to bring about a tangible change.
This youth specific service will build on a similar programme that Scope ran for all age groups, pre-pandemic.
Disabled young people face a variety of challenges. These include isolation, accessibility, loss of employment and interruptions to education. Scope’s Youth Community Collective will support young people to address barriers in their communities.
Scope’s Career Pathways in Leeds is a free, independent advice service. It will support disabled young people between 15 to 25 years old as they begin their career journey.
Career Pathways provides tailored, one-to-one support for disabled young people. With a specialist career advisor to help them create an action plan to achieve their goals. Importantly, the service also advises on disability. And the support that is available to young disabled jobseekers and students.
Paul Fuller, Executive Director of Partnerships at disability equality charity Scope, says:
“We are extremely proud to partner with Barclays. Their Community Aid Package donation will ensure Scope can deliver practical support to young disabled people at a milestone in their development. By giving them the tools, support, and guidance, to lead independent lives, contribute to society and to their communities.
“We look forward to seeing these projects develop by helping young people make insightful education and employment decisions and bring positive changes within their communities.”
John McLachlan, Executive Director of Services at disability equality charity Scope, says:
“During the pandemic disabled young people saw their lives disrupted. Many lost their jobs, spent significant portions of time shielding or had their studies put on hold. This funding from Barclays will enable Scope to support young people as they recover from these challenges.
“Scope has a wealth of experience supporting community groups. It’s exciting that Scope’s Youth Community Collective programme will be co-led with young disabled people. Empowering them to confidently develop their ideas and deliver positive, tangible change in their communities.”
“Too often, young disabled people are shut out of participating in and enjoying their community. Factors include a lack of accessible and inclusive facilities or negative attitudes. When this happens, young disabled people can become isolated at a key stage of their life, when they should be experiencing all life has to offer.
“There are also many obstacles young disabled people face getting into and staying in work. We know this has got worse during the pandemic as we saw demand for our personalised employment services surge by 230 per cent in a year.
“Barclay’s investment in Scope’s Career Pathways service will support disabled young people to flourish and thrive as they embark in their chosen career.
“Employers are missing out on a vast wealth of talent and loyalty. Disabled young people often have to overcome many barriers. The resilience they develop can be hugely beneficial to companies. We want to see more disabled young people reach their potential and achieve their career goals.”
