Introduction
As a result of the Breaking Barriers project, we are:
- Sharing our findings: We will continue to share what we’ve learned with local organisations, employers, and the wider community.
- Supporting further research: We want to explore more about how people in Somerset find and keep jobs, what challenges employers face, and what support is already available.
- Advising on recruitment: We are giving advice to HR teams on how to make job recruitment more inclusive and accessible for everyone.
- Working together: We will keep working with local community groups and people with lived experience to co-create support that helps people in Somerset find, stay in, or return to work.
Summary
The findings show the range of personal and systemic challenges faced by people living with long-term health conditions and/or disabilities. A clear message is that many people want to work and make a meaningful contribution. Volunteering is often an important first step as it can help build confidence, knowledge, and new skills. The findings also highlight clear actions that employers, training providers, support organisations, and all relevant sectors can take. By learning from each other and working together, there is a real opportunity to build a more inclusive and supportive employment culture in Somerset.