BASE Conference 2024

CoOptions Attends BASE Conference 2024 to Champion Supported Employment
On the 19th and 20th of November, the CoOptions Supported Employment Team had the privilege of attending the annual British Association for Supported Employment (BASE) conference, held at the Mercure Piccadilly in Manchester.

We were joined by our colleagues from North Wales Together, Agoriad Cyf, and HFT, all united in our mission to enable supported employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities across North Wales.

The conference brought together an inspiring mix of professionals, advocates, and individuals with lived experience to share pathways to employment for people with disabilities. One of the standout moments for our team was hearing from speakers who shared deeply personal stories of overcoming setbacks in their careers.

They highlighted an important truth: the barriers they faced were rooted in societal attitudes, not their abilities.

These powerful testimonies served as a poignant reminder of why we do what we do.

The event also provided a wealth of learning opportunities through various workshops, covering topics such as:

  • Setting up and running successful employer forums
  • Conducting job analysis and vocational profiling
  • Engaging employers effectively through phone outreach
  • Harnessing the power of communication
  • Helping individuals identify their skills and strengths

These sessions were incredibly insightful, equipping our team with new strategies and tools to better support the people we work with. Day one concluded with an awards dinner—a wonderful opportunity to celebrate
achievements, network with peers from across the UK, and hear more inspirational stories of success in supported employment.

We extend our thanks to the organisers, speakers, and everyone who participated in the conference.