Inclusive workplaces work: Insights from our We just Work campaign 

We know diverse teams make stronger teams. That’s why we were proud to share the results of the We Just Work campaign, which ran over the past couple of months by Minstead Trust and Empowering Employment. The campaign celebrated real stories of people with learning disabilities thriving at work, and the businesses reaping the benefits. 

Throughout the campaign, we shared inspiring case studies from both employees and employers, highlighting how inclusion can transform teams. Our Head of Empowering Employment also joined Express FM to talk about the campaign, breaking down myths around disability in the workplace and encouraging more local employers to get involved. Through social media and email, we connected with more than 216,000 people, opening up important conversations about inclusion.  

Our research showed that 78.4% of employees felt confident their employer would welcome someone with a learning disability in the right role. This was a clear sign that people were open to inclusion, though there was still work to do. 

  The benefits were clear. Employees told us that hiring someone with a learning disability would: 

• Make the workplace more inclusive (43.5%) 

• Encourage new ways of working (34.8%) 

• Boost team morale (21.7%)   

What was holding back inclusion?   

We also asked employees about the main barriers to inclusion: 

• 30% said colleagues might be unsure how to communicate effectively with someone with a learning disability 

• 33% felt their workplace didn’t currently have roles suitable for someone with a learning disability 

 These were common misconceptions, but they didn’t have to stop inclusion.

At Empowering Employment, we support employers to: 

• Provide training and guidance so colleagues felt confident and prepared 

• Identify suitable roles and adapt tasks so everyone could contribute meaningfully 

• Offer ongoing support to ensure both employees and teams succeeded  

We also work closely with individuals to understand their goals and match them with the right job opportunities. Our tailored coaching, interview preparation, and in-work support helps people feel confident and valued. At the same time, we guide employers on creating accessible, inclusive workplaces. This joined-up approach removes barriers on both sides, leading to stronger, more diverse teams where everyone could contribute and thrive. 

The campaign proved that inclusion benefited everyone, employees, teams, and businesses alike.  

While the We Just Work campaign has concluded, our work at Empowering Employment continues. We remain committed to supporting people with learning disabilities into meaningful jobs and helping employers create inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive.