By Mencap
Opening doors to opportunity, together
For many people with a learning disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. , finding work is not just about skills or motivation. It is about access, confidence and whether the system is built to include them.
Blue Arrow and Mencap have come together around a shared belief: that everyone deserves the chance to contribute, succeed and feel valued at work. This partnership is about opening doors, removing barriers and helping more people take confident steps into meaningful
employment
Employment means having a job.
.
Why this partnership matters
Across the UK, too many people with a learning disability want to work but struggle to find opportunities that feel
accessible
Accessible means something is easy for people to use or join in with. For example: Accessible writing means the writing is easy to read and understand.
, supportive and realistic.
At the same time, employers across sectors such as transport, logistics, hospitality, manufacturing, retail and public services are facing labour shortages and looking for committed, capable people.
This partnership exists to bring those two truths together
By combining Mencap’s deep expertise in learning disability support with Blue Arrow’s national reach and recruitment experience Experience is when you have learned or tried something before. , we are working to create more inclusive pathways into work that genuinely work for people.
About Blue Arrow
Founded in 1959, Blue Arrow is one of the UK’s best known recruitment agencies. Every year, teams across the country support thousands of people into temporary and permanent roles across a wide range of sectors.
Accessibility Accessibility is about making it easier for someone to join in, get, use or do something. and flexibility have always been central to how Blue Arrow operates. The partnership with Mencap builds on that heritage, with a clear focus on making employment more inclusive and removing unnecessary complexity from the recruitment journey.
Our shared aim
This partnership is not about a single programme or
campaign
A campaign is when people work together to try to change something.
. It is about steady, practical progress.
Together, Blue Arrow and Mencap are working to:
- promote accessible job opportunities across the UK
- help employers better understand the strengths, value and potential of people with a learning disability
- support more inclusive recruitment journeys through clear communication and personalised guidance Guidance means being given clear instructions to be able to do something well.
- create opportunities for people to build confidence, develop skills and move into paid employment.
At its heart, this work is about people. Real aspirations, real careers and real chances to belong.
What we are doing together
Fundraising with purpose
Blue Arrow colleagues across the country actively support Mencap through fundraising activity. In 2025, teams took part in a nationwide step challenge, collectively completing over 4.6 million steps and raising £1,678 for Mencap.
This collective effort led to Blue Arrow being recognised as Mencap’s top fundraising
organisation
An organisation are a group of people who work together.
for 2025, a reflection of genuine engagement across the business, not just participation in a single event.
Further fundraising activity is planned for the year ahead, aligned with key moments in Mencap’s calendar.
Volunteering that makes a difference
Skills based volunteering will begin shortly, starting with the SET team and expanding over time. Activity will focus on practical, supportive volunteering that makes a tangible difference to Mencap teams and the people they support, including work in green spaces and community A community is the people and places in an area. settings.
Volunteering is seen as a long term commitment, growing as more teams across Blue Arrow get involved Involved is being included in something or taking part in something. .
Supporting employment opportunities
Blue Arrow is working with Mencap to promote accessible job opportunities and inclusive recruitment practices across its national branch network.
This includes:
- clearer communication throughout the recruitment process
- personalised guidance to support confidence and understanding
- working with employers to help them create more supportive and inclusive workplaces.
The aim is simple. To make it easier for people with a learning disability to move into work that fits their strengths and ambitions.
Looking ahead
The partnership was formally agreed in July 2025 and is expected to run for an initial period of two years, with the intention to grow and evolve where there is strong impact and alignment.
Key moments in the year ahead include:
- Learning Disability Week, 15 - 21 June: an opportunity to highlight inclusive employment and shared progress
- September, marking Mencap’s 80th Anniversary, which will be a focal point for fundraising and partnership storytelling
- the rollout of volunteering activity across teams
- continued growth in employability support across the Blue Arrow network.
A shared belief
Blue Arrow and Mencap share a simple but powerful belief. That inclusion works best when it is practical, human and rooted in everyday action.
Together, we are taking steps to ensure more people feel confident, capable and welcome in the world of work.
Jon Sparkes OBE