This website is for disabled people, employers and anyone with an interest
in disability, employment and independent living.
Website last updated 2nd October 2008
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What's New?
Hate Crime - What is it?
Breakthrough UK has obtained funding from the Equality and Human Rights Commission to find out more about the way organisations define and respond to reports of hate crime, or related incidents. This is very important research for disabled people, and their organisations, which are being faced with this issue more often.
We would very much appreciate your organisation taking the time to complete the questionnaire which can be found on our Hate Crime page here.
Breakthrough UK's Policy Unit, Policy Think Tank and Partners have compiled a response to the Office for Disability Issues consultation on the Independent Living Strategy. Read the response and recommendations on our publications page.
Disabled People's Champion and Chief Executive of Breakthrough UK Awarded MBE
Lorraine Gradwell, one of Manchester’s most prominent disabled women has been recognised in the Queen’s Honours list. She has been awarded an MBE.
Having been disabled since childhood, Lorraine successfully completed her education at Hollings College, Manchester, and since that time has been a tireless campaigner for disabled people’s rights.
Whilst a single mother of 2, working closely with other disabled people she set up, worked for and led disabled people’s organisations in Greater Manchester and across the North West.
Having been one of the founder members of Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People, she then went on to work for Manchester City Council.
 From 1995 -97, she worked in partnership with the council to create a unique organisation led & controlled by disabled people which would deliver employment services across the city. The resulting organisation, Breakthrough UK, became an independent Social Enterprise based in Ardwick, Manchester.
Over the last 10 years, Lorraine has been the company Chief Executive. Under her leadership, the organisation has supported and worked with over 5000 disabled people.
Active on the Manchester Board and Trafford Disability Partnership, she is also currently a member of the Disability Employment Advisory Committee at the Department for Work and Pensions.
Jackie Driver, Chair of Breakthrough UK said:
“Lorraine is a unique individual who really has influenced so many people in the way they think about disability equality and the rights of disabled people. She thoroughly deserves this award. In the North West and nationally, she is recognised for her commitment & dedication to changing the way employers and service providers think about how they meet the needs of disabled people so they can live independent lives. However there is still a long way to go, and I am sure Lorraine will continue to be a dynamic force for change.”
Speaking of her honours award, Lorraine Gradwell commented:
“I’m delighted to receive this MBE; I feel it reflects not just my work and efforts but also those of all the disabled people I’ve had the privilege of working with over the last twenty years. The huge advances made by disabled people could not have happened without so many people pulling together and I’ve been really pleased to be recognised for the contribution I’ve made.”
The Department for Work and Pensions published a consultation paper in December 2007 entitled: "Helping people achieve their full potential: Improving Specialist Disability Employment Services". The consultation period ended on March 10th 2008.
Breakthrough UK has submitted a full response to the consultation which can be found here. (Rich Text Format)
Breakthrough celebrated 10 years of growth and success with the introduction of groundbreaking awards at the Independent Living Award Ceremony held at the City of Manchester Stadium on 6th December 2007. Read about the awards, the 2007 winners and runners up on the Independent Living Awards page.
10 years of breaking down barriers. Read the summary of the evaluation of Breakthrough UK on our publications page.
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News Archive:
Strategic Plan 2008 - 2013
Breakthrough UK’s mission is to promote the rights, responsibilities and respect of disabled people. We have translated our Mission into a number of Strategic Aims, all of which are intended to ‘support disabled people to play a full, economically active role in society'.
This strategy lays out the key aims and indicators of the range of work Breakthrough UK plan to undertake over the next 5 years and beyond.
Download Breakthrough UK Strategic Plan 2008 - 2013 (Rich Text Format)
Breakthrough UK's Statement on Remploy Factory Closures.
Breakthrough has considered its position on the closure of Remploy's factories. Read our detailed response here (Rich Text Format).
CIL Conference
Breakthrough held a very successful Centres for Independent Living (CIL) conference entitled ‘Success Stories’ at Lancashire County Cricket Club on 1st March 2007.
Speaking before the event, Anne McGuire, Minister for Disabled People, highlighted the continuing discrimination disabled people face in society:
"We have in place probably the best civil rights legal framework of most countries in the world. But we have still got to challenge attitudes - and as a society we have for too long looked at disabled people for what they can't do rather than what they can do."
The picture above shows Anne McGuire on the left talking with Lorraine Gradwell, Chief Executive of Breakthrough UK, before the conference.
Anne McGuire's speech focused on a key Government policy of putting disabled people in control of the services they use. She also praised Breakthrough, saying:
"Breakthrough UK is a tremendous local organisation."
Praise
Breakthrough's Independent Employment Advocacy Project has received high praise from the Big Lottery Fund following the submission of our end of grant report. Their letter states: "It must be expressed that your project has exceeded our expectations, not only in terms of the beneficiary numbers achieved, but also in the degree to which these achievements have been evidenced. The satisfaction survey and the many good news stories serve to confirm that Breakthrough UK have provided a highly valuable service to disabled people, helping them to overcome a wide variety of barriers and problems."
"Overall this has been an outstanding project, delivered by a group of highly committed people who are obviously passionate about safeguarding the welfare of disabled individuals. It is a pleasure to see our grant money supporting such a pronounced benefit. A big well done to you all."
The project recently received further funding from the Big Lottery Fund to continue and develop its work.
The text of the letter from the Big Lottery Fund can be found here (Rich Text).
Lottery Award
We have been awarded £500,000 by the Big Lottery Fund to set up a unique Independent Employment Advocacy Centre in the heart of Greater Manchester. The 'Reaching Communities' Programme Grant will enable workers from Breakthrough UK to support over 3500 disabled people across the region to challenge employment barriers, put their views across, share successful strategies and know their rights. Read the full news release here (rich text).
Breakthrough wins Positive Action Award
Breakthrough UK’s excellence as an employer of disabled people was officially recognised in the Positive Action Awards held in Warrington on 12th September 2006.
Sponsored by the North West Development Agency, the annual Positive Action Awards recognise best practice throughout the region. Breakthrough UK’s innovative and practical approach to employment has shown that small businesses can be successful and competitive while meeting the access requirements of disabled staff.
Over 60% of Breakthrough’s staff are disabled people. This is achieved through fair recruitment and inclusive policies and practices. To find out more, email Jane Touil, call her on tel: 0161 273 5412 or answerphone minicom: 0161 273 5727.
The picture above shows Breakthrough staff with the Award. From left to right Caroline Beard, Karen Taberner, Lorraine Gradwell and Jane Touil.
Policy Think Tank
The Policy Think Tank is a Breakthrough initiative and comprises only disabled people who are practitioners, academics, activists and people who run organisations. Its aims include influencing government on matters to do with disability, from a social model perspective. Read the Policy Think Tank's responses and reports.
Minister Recognises Potential Of Disabled People as Employees
Competitiveness Minister, Barry Gardiner, visited Breakthrough on 6th September to see our work at first hand. Mr. Gardiner toured the Employment Office, the Volunteer Project and the IT Training Suite, chatting to staff, volunteers and clients. Later, in the Board Room, the Minister had the opportunity to find out about the Independent Employment Advocacy Project and the Training and Consultancy work Breakthrough does. Mr. Gardiner wishes to see more skilled disabled people in employment. He commented:
“Equality is not just a matter of principle. It makes business sense. Equality and economic success go hand in hand. In just six years, only 20 per cent of the workforce will be white, male, non-disabled and under 45. If you select from just that percentage, how can you expect to get the best person every time?”
Lorraine Gradwell, Breakthrough’s Chief Executive added: “It is possible to successfully employ disabled people and run a thriving company. Breakthrough UK is a leading example of this and presently employs a workforce of which 60% are disabled people. The key issue is how we ensure that disabled people are not excluded from gaining the skills and experience they need to compete.”
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Head Office Contact Details:
Breakthrough UK Ltd. B.E.V.C. Aked Close Ardwick Manchester M12 4AN
Telephone: 0161 273 5412
Fax: 0161 274 4053
Answerphone Minicom: 0161 273 5727
Greater Manchester Information Service Email: advocacy@breakthrough-uk.co.uk
Contact details for other Breakthrough departments can be found on our Contact Us page.
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