Breakthrough as UK joins forces with Housing Diversity Network

Michele Scattergood, Breakthrough UK’s acting Chief Executive

Disabled people’s organisation Breakthrough UK is on course to provide the best equality, diversity and inclusion training nationwide after launching its first collaborative business venture.Manchester-headquartered Breakthrough UK is joining forces with the Housing Diversity Network to develop a new range of products and services which enable employers to ensure that they are fully compliant with legislation.

Breakthrough UK is a disability rights organisation which has received national recognition for its success in tackling discrimination and removing barriers to disabled people’s representation in society by promoting both employment and independence.

Huddersfield-headquartered Housing Diversity Network is also a not-for-profit organisation which offers specialist training, advice and consultancy on equality and diversity issues to the housing sector.

The two organisations will maintain their independence but will share knowledge and expertise to develop new training packages and services which will be promoted to new and existing customers.

Michele Scattergood, Acting Chief Executive of Breakthrough UK, said: “This agreement is a real milestone in the evolution of both our organisations.

“The Housing Diversity Network is an outstanding organisation which is at the forefront of providing expert training to housing organisations – and we share a strong ethos to support excellent equality and inclusion practice.

“Breakthrough UK’s specialist skills and capabilities complement those of the Housing Diversity Network and – jointly – we’ll be able to provide the most comprehensive service to our customers.

“This is the first time that Breakthrough UK has chosen to collaborate on a venture of this kind and it reflects our ambition to increase the range of services we provide to businesses and not-for-profit organisations nationwide.”

The Housing Diversity Network provides a range of specialist consultancy and training services, advice, information, practical assistance and support to organisations and businesses operating in the housing sector.

Clifton Robinson, Chief Executive of the Housing Diversity Network, said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with Breakthrough UK, a leading disability rights organisation.

“Breakthrough UK’s specialist skills and capabilities complement those of HND and we are confident that our respective customers will benefit greatly from this collaboration.

“Businesses are finding it very challenging to balance their financial and social objectives in the current recession.

“We believe this venture will help our customers sustain their commitment to improving equality and inclusion by delivering excellent value for money solutions.”

Breakthrough UK has recently developed a programme of courses on disability hate crime tailored to the needs of housing providers in conjunction with Manchester-headquartered Your Housing Group – which has more than 32,000 properties across the North West, Yorkshire and the midlands.

The courses enable housing associations to: swiftly identify disability motivated hate crime and take appropriate action; successfully communicate with disabled tenants in a meaningful way; and ensure that frontline staff have received the training they need.

About the organisations

Breakthrough UK, formed in 1997 in partnership with Manchester City Council and local disabled people’s organisations, champions independent living and aims to empower and support disabled people to make their own choices, to access mainstream jobs and to achieve their full potential. Find out more at www.breakthrough-uk.co.uk.

The Housing Diversity Network is a not-for-profit, limited company working within the social housing sector to promote equality and diversity. Get more information at www.housingdiversitynetwork.co.uk.

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