Birmingham: The PURE Project employment support initiative today hosts an event at Birmingham City F.C., centred around the Pledge for Birmingham. The Pledge is a collaborative initiative uniting public, private, and voluntary sectors, and is a commitment to enhanced support for individuals facing complex barriers to employment.
With Birmingham City F.C., Ernst and Young, West Midlands Combined Authority, Barnado’s, Aston University, Birmingham Mind, Midland Mencap, XMA, Nuffield Health, and others supporting The Pledge, this initiative aims to create pathways into the workforce by fostering learning, proactive action, and the exchange of successful practices. The roundtable discussion brings together industry leaders, dedicated to reinforcing commitments to The Pledge and emphasising the importance of inclusive employment practices.
The ceremony includes an awards segment to celebrate the progress that the PURE Project participants have made towards employment and the support offered by the dedicated delivery partners. PURE’s participants face a range of barriers including learning difficulties, mental health challenges, visual impairments, escaping domestic abuse, and being vulnerably housed.
The PURE Project, a joint effort funded by the European Social Fund and Birmingham City Council, stands as a cornerstone employment support scheme, specifically tailored to assist individuals navigating multifaceted barriers on their path to employment and training. It is delivered collaboratively with nine specialist community partners.
Tabriz Hussain, Commissioning Manager at the PURE Project said: “The Pledge for Birmingham embodies the essence of collaborative work, building on the PURE Project’s legacy to create long-lasting impact across Birmingham. The Pledge unites sectors to create meaningful opportunities for individuals with complex barriers. The key success of PURE has been the collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach, and we’re delighted the Pledge is keeping this at the core.”
Dave Rogers, CEO at Midland Mencap stated: “At Midland Mencap, we’re dedicated to supporting individuals living with learning disabilities, and The Pledge for Birmingham perfectly aligns with our mission. Collaborating with diverse sectors is integral to creating pathways into the workforce, and we’re committed to championing inclusivity and empowerment within our communities.”
About PURE Project: PURE is a unique project that supports people over 25 who have complex needs with education, training or employment. It is a £20m project managed by Birmingham City Council, delivered by nine specialist community partners and partly funded by the European Social Fund.
About Midland Mencap: Midland Mencap works and campaigns for accessible and inclusive services and a better quality of life for everyone with experience of learning disabilities and additional needs. Each week, more than 7,000 hours of support are provided to family and carers.
