Who we work with
Key roles we play at Breakthrough UK
At Breakthrough we are involved with different organisations and focus groups. These always involve disabled people, so we can support organisations with feedback from the lived experience of disabled people.
- Disability Design Reference Group: A disabled people’s involvement group ran by Breakthrough UK on behalf of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
- Our Manchester Disability Plan: Manchester’s approach to remove barriers together so everyone can take part in everything Manchester has to offer.
- Factory International Disabled Peoples’ Engagement Group: A group of disabled people who provide their expertise on how to make the Festival and artwork accessible to disabled people.
- Supporting Disabled people into Employment: Could you hold mock interviews with disabled clients from Breakthrough and help them get interview ready?
- Solicitors give free time to support clients to get interview ready: Solicitors from a Manchester law firm have been supporting clients on our Pathways course with interview tips, and practice.
Disability Design Reference Group
The Disability Design Reference Group (DDRG) is a disabled people’s involvement group ran by Breakthrough UK on behalf of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
The DDRG is made up of disabled people from across Greater Manchester who have lived experience of a wide range of disabling barriers that prevent disabled people from enjoying access to all aspects of society and in particular public transport services and how they are run.
You can find out more about the DDRG through the following links, as well as download our recent Evaluation Report on the work of the DDRG:
Disability Design Reference Group page on our website
Accessibility Page of Transport for Greater Manchester’s website
Our Manchester Disability Plan
Disabled people can face a range of barriers to take part in society, and can also experience issues accessing services, opportunities, buildings, environments and facilities in Manchester. The Our Manchester Disability Plan (OMDP) is Manchester’s approach to remove these barriers together so everyone can take part in the great opportunities, facilities, activities and communities the city has to offer.
The OMDP board has a wide variety of organisations that can drive through the change that’s required. Its membership includes relevant elected members: senior managers from a range of different departments of the Council, the NHS, Greater Manchester Police, Transport for Greater Manchester, Manchester College and both universities in Manchester, as well as representatives from Manchester-based disabled persons’ organisations (DPOs).
You can download a copy of the Our Manchester Disability Plan through the following links:
Our Manchester Disability Plan in Word
Our Manchester Disability Plan in PDF
Appendices of Our Manchester Disability Plan in Word
Factory International Disabled Peoples’ Engagement Group (DPEG)
Manchester International Festival brings together artists from different art forms and backgrounds to create dynamic, innovative and forward-thinking new work, which they show in venues across Greater Manchester – from theatres, galleries and concert halls to railway depots, churches and car parks.
We support Manchester International Festival through running their Disabled Peoples’ Engagement Group (DPEG), a group of disabled people from across Greater Manchester who provide their lived experience and expertise on how to make the Festival and artwork accessible to disabled people.
You can find out more about Manchester International Festival through the following link:
Supporting Disabled people into Employment
Here at Breakthrough we’re on the lookout for organisations and businesses who would like to join us in supporting disabled people into employment.
Could you hold mock interviews with disabled clients from Breakthrough?
Could you help facilitate world of work visits to your place of work?
Could you provide some work experience placements?
We’re growing our relationships with employers across Greater Manchester, partnering together to provide disabled clients with vital experiences in the world of employment.
Some organisations include TLT Solicitors, NHS, Southway Housing Association and Marks and Spencer.
You can read how we’ve worked with TLT Solicitors here for a flavour of how we’d like to work with you.
Solicitors give free time to support clients to get interview ready
Solicitors from a Manchester law firm have been supporting clients on our Pathways course with interview tips, and practice.
Trainee Solicitor Rachel Boyle and company Partner Jason Cropper from TLT Solicitors held mock interviews for three of the Pathways course clients, preparing them for when the big day arrives.
Rachel said: “TLT are delighted to be involved in such a fantastic project. The hard work that both the students and Breakthrough UK have put into the Pathways course was clearly noticeable, and all students interviewed were professional, approachable and gave brilliant interview answers. TLT are excited to continue volunteering on the Pathways course with Breakthrough UK.
The participants on the Pathways course are involved in specialist individual and group work sessions, exploring skills, aspirations and the benefits of working and independent life.
If you’d like to partner with us please phone Service Manager Roger Goodwin on 0161 234 3950 or email: r.goodwin@breakthrough-uk.co.uk
