A partnership between Oakland International and Better Pathways has seen remarkable success with the first cohort of participants, and with one participant receiving an offer of permanent employment.

Total supply chain solutions provider Oakland International and mental health charity Better Pathways started working together early last year with Oakland initially sponsoring two people on the Better Pathways LIVE Vocational Pathways Programme as of September, with a total of four participants agreed to be sponsored annually.

Oakland’s Head of Talent Management Kate Hewitt commented: “We were excited to begin this journey with Better Pathways and didn’t expect our relationship with the charity to be as rewarding as it has been to date.

“It is incredibly humbling and heartwarming for all involved to witness how much value it has added to our initial participants, Lee Jennings and Mark Bettam. To see their confidence grow and to be involved in something that really brings joy whilst adding to their self-esteem is incredible. The time that Lee and Mark spent on site was hugely successful and they were a real joy to host.”

After initially sponsoring Lee and Mark, Oakland is now sponsoring two additional places on the Programme as of January 2025, with Lee now employed with Oakland’s catering team two days per week.

Added Kate: “Whilst we are absolutely delighted that Lee accepted our offer of employment, we don’t have expectations that this will be repeated. If it is, we will be delighted.

“Supporting Better Pathways is about giving back and giving people experience of a real work environment. The most important aspect for us is being able to give participants work exposure and supporting them to help build their self-esteem and confidence.”

Mental health and neurodiversity needn’t be a barrier to returning to the workplace with Oakland planning to train several carefully identified team members as mental health first aiders and first responders as part of their support of MHFA – Mental Health First Aid training with their philosophy being to treat mental health in the same way as they do first aid.

Chief Executive at Better Pathways Sue Roberts commented: “We are enormously grateful to have the support of Oakland International for the important work we do, supporting people with disabilities and complex needs into employment, enabling them to live their best lives.

“Corporate partnerships of this nature are an excellent way of involving employees and the broader community in the work of local charities, growing an awareness of the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, and building crucial support networks.”

A Certified B Corporation business Oakland International is a total supply chain solutions specialist and a leader in direct to consumer, case consolidation, contract packing, storage and distribution, food tempering and brand development support for all types of food, servicing diverse markets across the UK and Ireland. They are also experts in saving food and non-food products from going to waste via their distress load management service and aiming to be the first business within their sector to reach Net Zero.

The Better Pathways LIVE Programme (Learning, Independence, Volunteering, Employment) is an innovative and bespoke vocational programme that supports individuals with mental health challenges, learning difficulties, learning disabilities and neuro-diverse conditions and is designed to provide person-centred upskilling and employment support to Birmingham-based participants aged between 18-65, inclusive of people from ethnic minority or socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.