BuDS has been supporting its volunteers into or towards work for more than 15 years. Our Reach4Work project was set up in 2018 to build on that experience by creating a discrete, professional wrap-around service to support not only our disabled volunteers but also other disabled people seeking employment.
BuDS is exceptionally successful at moving disabled jobseekers into or closer to work, with 95% reporting positive progress. Around a third of our disabled jobseeker volunteers move into work or vocational training within a year of starting with BuDS.
BuDS is exceptionally successful at moving disabled jobseeker volunteers into or closer to work…
What Is Reach4Work?
Reach4Work is a unique online support service designed by disabled people for disabled people looking to move closer to or get into work. Our online approach enables our work to support disabled people who may not be able to attend in person meetings or workshops due to mobility issues, anxiety, or difficulty communicating in person. Our experience and expertise in working with disabled people means we can tailor the programme to each participant and their needs to maximise their success.
Key elements are:
- A supportive, inclusive and caring BuDS community of disabled people working to improve the lives of disabled people, providing exceptional emotional and peer support to disabled jobseekers. When a disabled jobseeker joins BuDS, they are not merely a client or service-user but a member of the charity, a full participant in our wider working community.
- A one-to-one mentor and an Individual Support Plan for every participant in Reach4Work.
- A bespoke volunteer role within a BuDS project which is structured to provide the experience, skills and networking opportunities that the individual jobseeker needs, supported throughout by staff and volunteers. This work experience role offers real life experience that contributes to the work of the charity.
- Training and support to acquire employment skills such as digital expertise, time management, preparing for and managing effective interviews, CV writing, and job placements.
Supporting Young Disabled Jobseekers
Reach4Work has considerable experience and success in working with young people aged 18-25. Many young disabled people struggle with the transition from leaving school and gaining employment. Our research shows that it is a worrying and concerning time both for students and their parents. The Reach4Work project understands the barriers that these young people face and tailors support for young disabled jobseekers to offer them the best chance possible going into employment.
This support was informed by our work in 2024 with a group of students at a SEND school, to help prepare them to enter the workplace on leaving school. We worked with the students to help them look at what they wanted to do, to develop a personal growth plan that recognised their strengths, to identify further skills and experience that would support them to gain their ideal job, as well as personal growth goals. We also worked with the students to ensure that they had a CV and cover letter, and were familiar with the process of applying for posts.
Reach4Work Digital
Reach4Work Digital is a project unique to BuDS. It offers disabled people the opportunity to gain key skills and experience to get jobs in the digital sector. The project is run by disabled people who are actively looking for work, with advice and support from BuDS staff. The project team employs Agile methodology, which is widely used in the digital sector, and is focussed on delivering high-quality products to industry standards, including phone apps, online databases and websites, including creating the BucksWorkability website. The project has built close links with local technology and IT employers.
Case Studies
BuDS has been fortunate to work with a number of extremely talented jobseekers, some of whom have kindly allowed us to share their experiences. These can be found on their own dedicated webpage at the button below.