Inclusivity Works is a new initiative to show businesses the many benefits of having a fully inclusive workforce.

It has been created by the GEM Project, an employability programme for Gloucestershire which helps local people who have barriers to work into jobs.

The GEM Project which is led by Gloucestershire County Council and managed by the Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, is a partnership involving more than 40 organisations across the county and it is keen to bring more employers on board.

While originally due to end in December last year, the fantastic work it has carried out secured additional funding to ensure it will run until the end of 2021.

This allows the partnership to build on its recent success and launch Inclusivity Works, which is a new campaign that champions the many real and tangible benefits of employing someone who has previously struggled with overcoming barriers to finding work.

Jason Dunsford, GEM project manager, said: "Over the course of the last three years, the GEM Project has been working with employers across Gloucestershire to provide work-based opportunities to our participants.

"To date, we have supported someone into paid employment every three days. This has also shown us the benefits that a business can gain from employing one of our candidates.

"The businesses we have worked with have emphasised an inclusive approach to recruitment goes beyond doing good for one individual, but is a business imperative.

"We have created online resources underpinned by a series of case studies based on sharing the experiences of some of Gloucestershire's fantastic businesses."

Inclusivity Works will be launched at a special event on Tuesday 21st April at The Growth Hub in Gloucester, where employers will be able to hear for themselves just how they can benefit.

There will be speakers from Gloucestershire businesses, and a key note address from Lord Mark Price, former managing director of Waitrose and deputy chairman of the John Lewis Partnership. ]

"Factors such as demographics changes mean that we must make Gloucestershire a beacon for inclusive working practices and utilise the fantastic talent in our county," Jason said.

"Inclusivity Works will provide a useful resource hub and support network for employers, which contains relevant and engaging information that will help and assist businesses in becoming more inclusive and how to tap into those real benefits.

"Businesses continue to tell us that inclusivity has meant a material impact on their bottom line by tapping into a new pool of talent, reducing staff turnover and recruitment costs, and having a positive impact on staff morale.

"By sharing these experiences, we aim to inspire more employers to work with us and with our support, take advantage of some fantastic, talented and motivated potential employees.

"While this will mean more life changing opportunities for individuals across Gloucestershire, this will also mean a stronger and more vibrant economy"

Inclusivity Works and the GEM Project is jointly funded by the European Social Fund and National Lottery Community Fund. For more information visit www.glosgem.org  or call 01452 699741.