A unique partnership between one national charity and five local charities has won a £2.6m contract from Birmingham’s local strategic partnership to provide employment services for people with multiple disabilities in five of Birmingham City’s most deprived areas.

The Birmingham Disability Consortium, led by Action for Blind People, won the Working Neighbourhood Funding contract from BE Birmingham.  The consortium also comprises Midland Mencap, Birmingham Rathbone, Birmingham Disability Resource centre, bid services, and BITA Pathways.

The 15-month project will identify and engage with disabled people, educate them how to find suitable employment and then support them in seeking and sustaining work.

Nigel Maggs-Oosterhagen, employment and lifelong learning manager at Action for Blind People, said the Consortium delivers customised employment support to those people with disabilities “for whom the chance of employment can seem only a dream”.

“The unique service the Consortium offers is the one-stop approach to assisting any disabled person who initially contacts any of our member organisations,” he said. “The person will receive tailored support from the right organisation, to help them overcome their employment barriers and live an independent and fulfilling life.”