Beginnings was established by founding member, Unum, in 2001. It sought to inform and influence the emerging policy debate on welfare reform and help change perceptions of disability and disabled people amongst UK employers – creating opportunities for disabled people to get and retain meaningful and rewarding work. Beginnings’ intention is to improve the return-to-work outcomes, via policy interventions with Westminster and Whitehall, for disabled people in the UK without work and those in employment.
Beginnings brings together the private sector, employer and employee organisations, service providers and groups of, and for, disabled people. A fundamental tenet is that placing and keeping disabled people in productive employment will provide fulfillment, self-esteem and economic independence, as well as benefiting wider society. The expertise and resources from all three sectors is used to develop integrated thinking and practical approaches to disability issues.
Beginnings has succeeded in bringing a disparate group together in a policy space that has been moving more into the world of employment and policy legislation. Beginnings is known and well respected by Westminster and Whitehall. It is a one-stop-shop for Government when engaging on welfare reform; its opinions are sought on disability and employment policy legislation; it provides answers on the most salient issues and provides help with practical solutions. The coalition has raised the profile of disability and work amongst Government and employers and has been instrumental in moving the issue of improving return to work outcomes for disabled people up the Government’s agenda.
The following core supporters have contributed to the development of Beginnings over the years:
The Age and Employment Network
Baroness Greengross
BT
The co-operative
Disability Alliance
EEF
Employers’ Forum on Disability
Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities (EOPD)
Federation of Small Businesses
H2O Law LLP
Help the Aged
IOD
Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope
Mind
Papworth Trust
RADAR
RNIB
RNID
Royal Mail Group
Shaw Trust
Unum
WorkDirections
Working Links
Unum is a Gold Card Member of the Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD), an organisation whose principal aim is to help employers demonstrate their commitment to the employment of disabled people.