Learning disability charity Mencap has launched two new projects to help disadvantaged people in certain parts of the UK to find work.

The project, which will be funded by Building Better Opportunities, aims to assist people with learning disabilities in the Stratford and Warwick areas to find volunteering opportunities and work experience placements, while simultaneously identifying and improving their workplace skills.

Heart of England Mencap also says that its Progress and Accelerate projects will provide additional support with interviews, job hunting and the drafting and editing of CVs.

Progress will work with schools and colleges across Stratford, Warwick and Coventry to support under 25s, while the Accelerate project aims to work with over 25s in collaboration with Coventry and Warwickshire CDA (Co-operative Development Agency).

Helena Wallis, chief executive at Heart of England Mencap, said: “This project is about overcoming the barriers to employment which exist for many local people within our community, developing each participants’ skills and training enabling and empowering them to be work ready.

“The number of people with learning disabilities in paid-work or even benefitting from work experience is shockingly low and that needs to change.

“Everyone wants a meaningful job – and people with a learning disability should have that opportunity too”.