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Admin and More launches £200,000 programme to create a more inclusive workforce

Admin and More, the Kettering business which offers tailored support via virtual PA services, is set to launch a programme that has the power to transform thousands of lives and change the landscape and culture of the UK workplace.

The company, set-up and run by Elizabeth Wright is aiming to raise £200,000 to create a more inclusive workforce by providing meaningful work placements for all individuals with disabilities.

The programme, called EmpowerAbility, will include:

• Six weeks of office-based work experience
• Essential skills development
• 12 months of ongoing tailored support and mentoring
• An employment scheme with inclusive employers

It will initially be run as a pilot project from Admin and More’s new Kettering HQ and if this is successful, Elizabeth plans to expand across the country by collaborating with more businesses and opening more offices.

By creating this movement, Elizabeth and her new Diversity and Operations Manager, Samantha Roberts, aim to help 156 disabled people get and stay in employment in the first year.

With a funding goal of £200,000, Admin & More can ensure it can provide the essential support needed to create inclusive work opportunities and environments, with the funding covering essential expenses such as training, resources and support services.

Elizabeth said: “This is not just a project. This is an opportunity to dismantle barriers, challenge conventions and champion inclusivity. This is building a future where individuals with disabilities not only find employment opportunities but thrive in them.

“This is all about making people realise that they DO COUNT and WE DO CARE.”

Samantha, who was diagnosed with ADHD aged 42 and has now made it her mission to make a difference to others, added: “EmpowerAbility will be a Disability Work Placement Project which aims to give every disabled individual a fighting chance in the professional world.

“The rather unsettling truth is that too many people with disabilities, whether physical or hidden, are not in employment. Indeed, many companies choose to remain non-inclusive, often side-lining those with disabilities instead of recognising their worth - often out of fear of the unknown or of simply getting things wrong.”

According to gov.uk, from July to September 2022, the disability employment rate fell whilst the non-disabled employment rate rose, meanwhile a November 2023 report by the TUC highlighted a shocking “pay gap”.

Elizabeth added: “The mission is simple, but far from easy. Create a more inclusive workforce by providing meaningful work placements for all individuals with disabilities. This isn’t just about ensuring they have jobs; it’s about ensuring they have careers where they can flourish, and grow, making significant contributions to our country’s growth and prosperity.”