Manchester Lived Experience Leaders

Are you a disabled person, or do you have lived experience of disability or a long-term health condition? Do you live in the city of Manchester? Could you use your lived experience and knowledge to make Manchester a better place for disabled people? If so we would love to hear from you! We have a [Continue reading…]

Important Announcement from Breakthrough

Breakthrough UK is Manchester’s disabled people’s organisation. We started in 1997 and are run by disabled people. Lots of disabled people have worked with us to get real jobs and to live independently over the last 25 years. “Breakthrough get you the job you want” said one client. Sadly, we have to tell you that [Continue reading…]

Long COVID Peer Support Project

Long Covid is a new health condition. Long Covid is used to describe a range of symptoms people experience weeks or months after they recover from Covid-19. Some people have reported experiencing several symptoms; others report just one or two. No-one knows how many people are living with Long Covid in this country or across [Continue reading…]

Research to maximise benefits of innovative employment interventions

Research led by University of Strathclyde will investigate the impact of employment interventions normally used to support those with severe mental health conditions on wider population groups. Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Supported Employment (SE) are structured policy interventions that help individuals find and maintain paid employment, bringing significant benefits to individuals and society. [Continue reading…]

Breakthrough’s Tribute to Jane Annis

We were very sad and shocked to learn of the death of Breakthrough volunteer, client and women’s peer group member, Jane Annis, earlier this month. Jane has been a big part of Breakthrough for several years, working closely with so many of us on different projects. Jane was a massive part of the Women’s Side by Side Peer [Continue reading…]

Our Tribute to Tracey Bell

Everyone at Breakthrough who knew her was devastated to learn of the death of a long serving and incredibly popular member of staff, Tracey Bell, on 5th August. We all send our deepest condolences to Tracey’s family and friends. Tracey firstly worked with us on the Greater Manchester Talent Match programme and then as a [Continue reading…]

Breakthrough’s Chair Jackie Driver Awarded an OBE

Congratulations to our Chair Jackie Driver who was awarded an OBE in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours. The Cabinet Office announced Jackie as a recipient of an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire award (OBE) for “services to hearing impaired people, equality, diversity and inclusion”. We are delighted to see that [Continue reading…]

Wearing face masks and what to do if we are exempt

Wearing face masks and what to do if we are exempt We must wear face masks now in certain places in public. For the past few months we have been asked to wear face masks when travelling on public transport or if we have to go to a medical appointment in person.  The rule was [Continue reading…]

No Going Back Report launch

No Going Back Report launch “Invest in a crucial sector or risk losing it”, say Manchester’s voluntary sector leaders Leaders of Manchester-based charities have shared their experiences of the Covid-19 crisis and their thoughts for the future in a new report produced by Macc, Manchester’s local voluntary and community sector support organisation.  Breakthrough’s CEO Michele [Continue reading…]

Tribute to DDRG member Tony Jenkins

Tribute to DDRG member Tony Jenkins The Disability Design Reference Group would like to pay tribute to a much loved member and friend, Tony Jenkins, who has recently died. Tony had been a member of the DDRG for four years, and brought with him a wealth of expertise both from a professional background in Marine [Continue reading…]