Percy Hedley
Contact Us  > Donate  >

Hedley's
Beyond

We are Hedley’s Beyond, a team that works with employers in the local community to offer high quality work experience opportunities to students and service users within the Percy Hedley Foundation.

There are 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK. Of these, only around a fifth are currently in employment.

Everyone deserves the chance to explore their potential and access meaningful opportunities within the workplace.

We work with employers who want to make a real difference through work experience placements, workplace visits, volunteering opportunities, or sharing their knowledge with those we support.

Even a small commitment of time can have a powerful impact, helping young people and adults with disabilities grow in confidence, develop practical skills, and take important steps towards future employment.

Our students and members let us know what their aspirations are and we work hard to find a good fit with a local employer.

We work closely with employers to identify tasks within the workplace that a young person can successfully undertake, using an approach known as job carving.

This involves breaking down roles and matching specific tasks to a young person’s strengths and abilities so they can make a meaningful contribution.

We also carry out a comprehensive risk assessment before the placement begins and provide ongoing support and guidance throughout, ensuring both the young person and the employer feel confident, supported, and able to get the most out of the experience.

View our Careers Strategic Plan 24-25  >

We are continuing to build relationships with brilliant employers across the region, here are just a few of the current organisations we’re working with:

  • Greggs
  • The Live Theatre
  • Tyne and Wear Museums
  • National Glass Centre
  • Bellway Homes
  • Newcastle City Council
  • Northumberland Zoo
  • Hextol
  • Jesmond Community Orchard
  • Newcastle United Foundation
  • NHS
  • Scope
  • Westoe Café
  • Newcastle Eagles
  • Eldon Square
North East Museums Case Study  >Newcastle Eagles Case Study  >

“I found this to be a fabulous experience due to the effort determination and enthusiasm that each learner displayed. It was a credit to Percy Hedley Foundation and the dedication, the support, and the care from the staff towards the learners was outstanding – making the afternoon an excellent experience.”

“Thank you so much for the brilliant training last week. The students gave such a wonderful insight into their experiences and challenges and I’ve had a number of staff get in touch with me directly to say how impactful the training was.”

“We have thoroughly enjoyed it and have all come away with a spring in our step thanks to the warm welcome from all the staff and students. We haven’t seen so many smiles from a group of brilliant people for a very long time”

Working in Partnership

We are proud to also work in partnership with a range of organisations and industries on meaningful projects that make a difference.

By collaborating with professional teams, the individuals that we support gain valuable experience in working to a brief, meeting deadlines, and producing high-quality content that provide excellent results.

Accessible Communications Guide  >Working with Gardiner Richardson  >

Accessibility Audits

Our audits help organisations to create more inclusive environments, demonstrating
a commitment to equality and accessibility.

Working alongside a small team of our students and adult service users to provide the most accurate assessment, our Accessibility Audits provide:
• An assessment against national accessibility guidelines
• A clear report highlighting practical improvements to enhance your premises
• Constructive recommendations from people with lived experience of disability

We also offer Digital Accessibility Audits, reviewing websites and online content to make them more inclusive and user-friendly for all.

Working with the Cluny  >

What We've Achieved

Take a look at some of the things we’ve been able to achieve for our students across the Foundation.

Working at the Discovery Museum: Michael's Case Study

Gatsby Benchmark 2, 3, 5 & 6

Working at the Discovery Museum: Michael’s Case Study  >

Working at Newcastle Civic Centre: Azhad's Case Study

Gatsby Benchmark 2, 3, 5 & 6

Working at Newcastle Civic Centre: Azhad’s Case Study  >

Working At Seventeen Nineteen: Jack's Casestudy

Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2 3, 5 and 6.

View Jack's Case Study Here  >

Working with Morgan Sindall: James's Case Study

Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6.

View James's Case Study Here  >

We Want To Work With You

We’re always looking to connect with more organisations to offer work experience placements. We understand this isn’t always possible, so we’re eager to explore creative ways to get involved and would love the chance to discuss opportunities with you.

Please contact Kerry Robinson, Project Manager of Hedley’s Beyond to discuss how we can work together.

[email protected]

Or fill in the form below!

Register Your Interest

Fill in this form if you and your company would like to get involved with employability opportunities here within The Percy Hedley Foundation.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name(Required)