LEND: Lothian Employers' Network For Disability


LEND is a membership organisation run by employers for the benefit of employers. Members come from a wide variety of private, public and voluntary sector organisations. LEND receives administrative and development support from Intowork, a local disability and employment organisation.
Background In 1994, following a successful conference organised by Lothian Regional Council, a number of like-minded and proactive employers decided to get together to make disability and employment a topic for priority within their organisations. Some organisations were already well on track to meeting their obligations under the emerging Disability Discrimination Act (1995) and others wanted to learn more. Intowork, a local disability and employment development agency funded through Lothian Regional Council, was well-placed to support this network.
Strategy Group In the early days LEND members met on a regular basis on a fairly informal basis. These would include presentations by a member organisation or by a guest speaker. Subsequently, as the network developed, the direction of LEND has been steered by a Strategy Group made up of ordinary LEND members. The Strategy Group is responsible for the direction of LEND activities and services.
Charitable Status In 2005 LEND was awarded charitable status putting it on a firmer footing and making it the only network of its kind with this status in Scotland. Assistance to other Agencies As well as providing services for members, the LEND Strategy Group has, in the past, assisted Intowork with the planning of conferences and has provided speakers for events aimed at local support agencies – namely the Employability Forum.
Development and Support Development and administrative support for LEND, until June 2008, was provided by Intowork through funding from the European Social Fund with additional support from the City of Edinburgh Council. Since June 2008, however, funding for this type of networking activity has reduced significantly.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- In October 2009 the focus of activities shifted from a theory-based, information sharing network to one where members will are encouraged to put learning into practice. For more information follow this link
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