Virtual PA services firm launches new program hoping to reshape the workplace culture
Admin and More, the business which offers tailored support via virtual PA services, is launching a program with the potential to transform lives and reshape the UK workplace culture.
Led by Elizabeth Wright, the company aims to raise £200,000 to create a more inclusive workforce by offering work placements for individuals with disabilities.
The program, called EmpowerAbility, includes six weeks of office-based work experience, essential skills development, 12 months of ongoing tailored support and mentoring and an employment scheme with inclusive employers.
Initially operating as a pilot project from Admin and More’s new Kettering headquarters, the success of EmpowerAbility could lead to expansion across the country by collaborating with more businesses and opening additional offices.
Wright and her new diversity and operations manager, Samantha Roberts, aim to assist 156 disabled individuals in securing and maintaining employment in the first year of the program.
With the funding, Admin & More seeks to provide crucial support for creating inclusive work opportunities, covering expenses such as training, resources, and support services.
Wright 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.
“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.”
Roberts, who was diagnosed with ADHD at age 42 and has now made it her mission to make a difference to others, said: “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.”
