Did you know that more than 1.5 million people in the UK are living with a learning disability? This includes over 150,000 young people aged 16-24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The impact extends far beyond the individual, affecting families, friends and communities across the country.
Our ambition is not only to support young people through our supported internship programme, but also to make change as a sector leader: to transform the whole employment ecosystem and ensure equitable access to meaningful employment.
Philanthropic support can really help us to deliver that wider impact. Read our annual reports here.
For those who wish to support our work more generally, or donate to a specific element of our programme, we will work with you to identify where your support can make the greatest difference.
Join our Supporters Circle
DFN Project SEARCH has ambitious plans to support 10,000 young people with a learning disability, who are autistic, or both into meaningful employment – which helps them live happier, more independent lives.
Our Supporter Circle members have pledged to do just that. Our ambition is to build a community of like-minded people who want to enable young people to gain meaningful employment, while helping to shape systems and policy to make lasting, systemic change. Together, we will realise our ambition to create a more inclusive workforce where talent is recognised, opportunities are accessible, and aspirations become achievements.
Our Founder and Patron, David Forbes-Nixon, has pledged £1.5m via his Foundation towards this target and we are looking to match this amount through the following levels of support:
- Founding Patron – £50,000 a year for a minimum of three years
- Patron – £25,000 a year for a minimum of three years
- Friend – £10,000 a year for a minimum of three years.
By becoming a Founding Patron, Patron, or Friend of DFN Project SEARCH, you will have a genuine opportunity to make a difference to the lives of young people who are ready and ambitious to work. You will:
Make an Impact
You will see the difference your support is making from our annual data sharing and impact report, which tracks outcomes for participants nine months after they’ve graduated. You can also visit our programme sites and attend graduations to hear first-hand from our young people.
Network at Events
You’ll have the opportunity to attend exclusive events, such as our annual awards, to gain more insight about the young people whose talents your support helps and meet like-minded individuals who share your passion for social justice.
Stand with us
We will recognise your support and commitment to this cause in our annual report.
Join us today, so we can start transforming more lives now.