Inspiring Hearts, Engaging Minds (IHEM)

1. Two-day event with sessions to prepare participants for the workplace
2. Work placements at five (5) companies based in Hertfordshire and London
3. Feedback event for all participants

1. Confidence
2. Communication
3. Networking

“It’s my hope that IHEM will in some measure help to perhaps provide further insight but also contribute to supporting the ongoing conversation around employment for people with disabilities. Looking at the world of work today through a lens of originality, of innovation, IHEM broadened horizons.

IHEM evidences the talents, the skills and the value that a group of individuals when given an opportunity, will flourish and find that sense of purpose in work that many take for granted. Disability is everyone’s business – according to the Disabled Living Foundation (DLF), 80% of disabilities are acquired between the ages of 18 and 64yrs, the workforce age.

Despite the continued efforts of many excellent disability employment specialists doing outstanding work in providing sustainable employment opportunities, there is still more to be done in widening the provision of work and by default, life experiences, for young people with for example Muscular Dystrophy (MD). I’ve witnessed how the opportunity of work can enrich a young person’s life, giving fulfilment, motivation and hope for the future.”

The other clear impact of the IHEM programme was the companies who hosted the work placements, where they learned about the benefits and challenges of employing an individual with a disability.”

SOURCE: Dr Sarah Jane Besser

Centre for Health Services and Clinical Research

After the programme was completed, all groups of participants were extremely positive about the IHEM programme and what they had gained from it.

Many participants discussed how the IHEM programme had broadened their skills and experiences.

The ‘power to communicate’ session was rated as excellent in the majority of cases, and there is evidence from some participants that the programme was able to improve communication skills, although this was not discussed as frequently and consistently by participants, as were skills in confidence and networking.”

SOURCE: Dr Sarah Jane Besser

Centre for Health Services and Clinical Research

“For those with rare diseases, conditions that are genetically inherited (like muscular dystrophy), the journey into the world of work is very often difficult and challenging – it can be incredibly overwhelming. Why is this still the case in 2020? Finding employment opportunities that are fulfilling and accessible for all is a mission that I know many organisations are working hard on to realise - it's a mission that matters.  

In a small way, I hope that IHEM plays a part in continuing to influence change. If it helps to move the thinking of an employer, no matter where they’re at on their disability inclusion journey, then this project and the commitment of all stakeholders in addition to the learning’s has been useful.

That said, the charity is proud of this work and the outcomes – I am hugely proud of each IHEM participant who openly brought their whole selves in engaging in the programme. I am proud of the employers who listened, supported and committed to the process. I am immensely proud of IHEM’s core team who worked on a voluntary basis to ensure the project and its plans were executed to the best of our ability with the resources available.

And of course, I am immensely grateful to those who helped facilitate what initially started out as a vision to help give young people in our community a unique opportunity to participate in an empowering and different experience, giving them a voice, anchored in the world of work – particular thanks must go to the University of Hertfordshire.

My original motivation for IHEM came from speaking over many years with parents who shared with me that their sons were spending hours a day in front of their TV’s, on their XBOX’s and their PlayStation consoles, playing games such as Gran Turismo, Minecraft, Read Dead Redemption II, Grand Theft Auto and FIFA 20, the football simulation video game.

I know many talented young adults with muscular dystrophy across the country who have so much to give. Whilst there are many organisations championing the benefits to employers of working with disabled people, the conversation about achieving potential and having purpose remains.

Whilst the fantastical world of online gaming shows no signs of slowing down, it is anticipated that there will be more than three billion gamers by 2023 (Source: Statista, Oct 2020).

One of IHEM’s aims was to create an immersive moment-in-time that was inclusive, enabling, memorable and mutually beneficial to both the programme participants and the employers – IHEM achieved this.”