We know that finding a job when you have a disability isn’t always easy. It’s why we launched our Moving Up work experience programme – to offer disabled people in London aged 16-30 flexible and hands-on work experience, mentoring and ongoing careers support
Moving up: London work experience placements
We offer work experience opportunities in our London office that are tailored to your needs. You can choose the length and hours of your placement. If you need to work remotely, we can discuss that too.
We will also provide the right equipment so that you can do the best possible job in a truly accessible workplace.
Once you have completed your work experience with us, we may be able to offer other placements with companies based in the South East.
If you’d like to be considered for a Moving Up work experience placement, please email MovingUp@musculardystrophyuk.org
We are always looking for companies that would be willing to offer work experience placements to young disabled people. If you know or work for a company that you think might be interested in doing this, please email us.
How Moving Up work experience has made a difference
Participant Jack McLellan, who went on to secure a permanent position as a HR Assistant, and who has subsequently become Moving Up’s new manager, advised young disabled people:
If possible come on the Moving Up project. Work experience is a safe environment to test what adjustments you need and what working hours you can do. There are so many different areas of work on offer, there’s something relevant to everyone.
Oona Elonen secured a job with us as a Supporter Services Assistant following her Moving Up work experience. She blogged:
MDUK was able – and willing – to accommodate all of my needs, so that the placement would be as enjoyable and smooth as possible and so that I could get the most out of it. I was able to develop my skills more than I thought I was going to! It just proves how a seemingly minor work or volunteering opportunity can prove extremely helpful!
Hannah Sosna, who completed a six-month placement with our digital communications team, wrote about her experience:
I’m not quite sure what the future holds yet but working at MDUK has definitely given me a better understanding of what it is like to work in a large office environment. I’ve also gained more skills and experience, such as data entry, scheduling social media posts and research. Without the MDUK placement, this type of experience would have been very difficult to get, so I’m very grateful for having the opportunity of working with such a nice, professional and welcoming team. If anyone is thinking about applying to the Moving Up project, I definitely would recommend it. The office is lovely and everyone is really friendly.
Ongoing Employment Support
After you’ve finished your placement with us, we would like to stay in touch to help make sure your training doesn’t stop when you leave our office. We’ll invite you to take part in the following opportunities:
- work experience placements with other organisations, where possible
- mentoring and careers advice
- a range of events, including our Disability Employment Rights training sessions
Christine Lee, who had an external placement at Wall to Wall, writes:
Before the placement, I had never considered a career in media, but now I realise how important television is in shaping society and I feel more positive towards the industry. I would urge young disabled people to consider taking up placements in media companies so you can experience working in the industry.
Shani Minogue, who helped organise a Disability Employment Rights session at her university, says:
I thought I knew a fair amount about what my rights were when entering employment. However, the session taught me a new wealth of knowledge that I was completely unaware of before, and knowledge I know that will benefit me massively in the future (as well as the disabled students I will be helping!). Especially regarding things like Access to Work, with this scheme being something I only had vaguely heard of before, the session gave me a new-found comprehensive understanding of this. It was incredibly useful, not just for knowing what I am entitled to from employers, but also for what I might need in the future, should the severity of my disability fluctuate.
For more information about placements, events and careers resources, please get in touch with our Work Experience Development Officer, at MovingUp@musculardystrophyuk.org.
Partnerships
We’re always on the look-out for companies and professionals to get involved with our Moving Up project. You can support us by speaking at one of our events, becoming a mentor or offering work experience placements.
We will support you to make sure placements are appropriate for young disabled people and provide expert advice on recruiting disabled people.
If you’d like to work with us to become a more inclusive employer, please get in touch with our Work Experience Development Officer, at MovingUp@musculardystrophyuk.org
Luke Fisher from creative agency, 20Ten, who has offered Moving Up work placements, says:
Working with the Moving Up programme has helped us to understand some of the challenges that disabled employees face. We love that the programme gives us the opportunity to help support the growth and development of some really talented individuals.
Other resources
Here are just a few other organisations that offer work experience opportunities for disabled people:
Useful links
Access to Work – if the help you need at work is not covered by your employer making reasonable adjustments, you may be able to get help from Access to Work.
You’ll be offered support based on your needs, which may include a grant to help cover the costs of practical support in the workplace.
An Access to Work grant can pay for:
- special equipment, adaptations or support worker services to help you do things like answer the phone or go to meetings
- help getting to and from work
List of employers who are Disability Confident – the Disability Confident scheme aims to help employers make the most of the opportunities provided by employing disabled people. It is voluntary and has been developed by employers and disabled people’s representatives.
The Disability Confident scheme has three levels designed to support employers on their Disability Confident journey. Employers must complete each level before moving on to the next.