Patchworker Spotlight: Jacqueline’s story

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Patchworker Spotlight: Jacqueline’s story

Jacqueline is Founder and CEO of Universal Inclusion and The Inclusive Entrepreneur Network, an internationally recognised business that furthers equality of access to life’s opportunities. Jacqueline kindly spoke to us about her company, her experiences and her vision for the world of inclusivity.

To start, could you please tell us about yourself?

Hi, I’m Jacqueline. I navigate complex health conditions as a Founder and CEO of Universal Inclusion and The Inclusive Entrepreneur Network.

Can you tell us a bit more about your story?

I’m one of the lucky ones who are able to do the things I’m passionate about within a portfolio career increasing equality of access to life's opportunities. My working career has been quite a journey. During my earlier career, I designed and opened one of the first inclusive play and childcare settings in the UK. This was in response to disabled children and their families being denied access due to accessibility barriers. Following this, I was enticed to take the blueprint I developed and work within local government to expand the model across the country. After this success, I influenced government policy on short break care for disabled children, young people and their families.

However, I developed a health condition at the height of my career within local government which sadly led to me no longer holding the job I loved. This became the catalyst for my return to entrepreneurship and my current portfolio. Amongst other things, this includes the creation of the Inclusive Entrepreneur Network, and I currently serve as the Secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Inclusive Entrepreneurship.

Within these roles, I’ve been fortunate to share my good practice internationally at conferences, such as the Windsor Consultations and the United Nations in New York. Here, my unique approach and proven track record are not only cited as an exemplar but included in international policy development and guidelines for good practice. This approach is built on lived experience, key partner cross-sector collaboration, academic validation and the creation of sustainable, holistic, inclusive working practice. All this is sprinkled with my creation of poetry academic and fiction writing.

Have you faced any workplace barriers due to your situation? Do you think the ‘conventional’ world of work most employers use needs to change?

Yes. At the height of my career, I developed complex health conditions and I could no longer hold the job that I loved. In response to my lived experience and that of others, I realised that things needed to change, and decided I was going to change them.

If you could change one thing about the world of work or the way employers saw accessibility, what would it be and why?

The need for a holistic response to creating inclusive working practice which has a clear and supportive pathway for employers and employees. This should not only allow for successful recruitment, onboarding and retention, but an emphasis on career progression.

What inspired you to start doing the work you currently do?

Seeing inequalities and realising that not only did I have a vision, but was able to create practical and sustainable pathways to removing those inequalities and see the resultant impact on individuals.

What is the biggest lesson you have learnt from your career to date?

What I’ve seen in my work to date, is that people haven’t set out to put barriers in place, they just haven't known how to remove them and are fearful of getting it wrong. Once people are provided with a supportive pathway, resources, practical support and collaboration, the barriers just melt away. This is particularly true in terms of workforce recruitment and retention, accessing services and opportunities, and creating enterprise.

Do you have a favourite quote or personal mantra?

Go ahead, underestimate me!

If you could change one thing about people's perception of disability, what would it be?

To see beyond it and welcome the valuable contribution that everyone has to offer.

Find out more about Jacqueline’s story and work:

Universal Inclusion’s website

Follow Jacqueline on Instagram

Follow Universal Inclusion on Twitter

Contact Jacqueline on LinkedIn

Published: 20th April 2022

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I found a job through Patchwork Hub – a senior level position with a leading financial services company. Throughout the process I felt supported by very dedicated people, both at Patchwork Hub and the company, and it was really refreshing to be able to openly talk about my health condition and not feel like I had to actively avoid the subject. Their support was simply invaluable.

Ditte Olsen

Patchworker

I applied for a job through Patchwork Hub and secured employment at a FTSE 100 company. That is so fantastic, not just for my bank account and CV but also my confidence. Without Patchwork Hub – both its accessibility and the support and understanding they offer– this would not have happened for me. A platform taking a proactive approach to raising awareness amongst employers, and approaching disability inclusion in a way where we're not othered, is transformational.

Rock Bell

Patchworker

Patchwork Hub are leading a critical culture change in work and health for employers as we move into our 'new normal'. Bringing together global businesses, charities and experts to create accessible work opportunities for those currently excluded by traditional work practises, and challenging assumptions around a hidden pool of talent.

Lord Dennis Stevenson

As a company committed to diversity and equality of opportunity, we are excited to be partnering with Patchwork Hub and are looking forward to further building our relationship with Beth and the business. This platform allows us to connect with highly-skilled individuals we might not otherwise reach. Patchwork Hub hosts a growing pool of very capable and diverse talent which offers businesses unique recruitment potential, while helping to strengthen a company’s social impact.

St James's Place

FTSE 100 employer

I secured employment with a FTSE 100 company through Patchwork Hub. I would like to thank Beth and the team for helping me through the recruitment process and being there to give advice and support throughout my placement. It was refreshing to be honest about my condition and know that the company was ‘disability aware’ and would be inclusive and understanding too. This meant that I was able to focus on my job, learn from my colleagues and feel part of the team. I would advise others to make the most of this unique platform, its placement schemes and the opportunities they provide.

Ben Pearse

Patchworker

Patchwork Hub is an incredible organisation, making great strides towards bridging the gap between employers and ‘the UK’s hidden talent pool’. This is not limited to the one million disabled people in the UK navigating access to traditional job roles but extends across society to all those facing barriers. Patchwork Hub is where employees, who are experiencing the challenge of skills shortages, can come to unlock this talent pool, equally supporting employers and employees, and enabling society as a whole to thrive.

Q5

Annabel Tonge, Q5 Director (Employer)

Patchwork Hub's work will be invaluable to anyone for whom conventional work is not feasible. Having been suffering with health issues over the last few months myself and coming from a family of carers, mental illness sufferers, and disability, I've experienced firsthand the impact Patchwork Hub has on real lives. As well as offering employment opportunities, the unique offerings of community and the upcoming freelancing platform really set Patchwork Hub apart. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how valuable work-from-home opportunities are, and Patchwork Hub has been ahead of the curve in their aim to provide working opportunities for as many people as possible.

Mia Testa

Featured Patchworker, Oxford University

Lauren Hazel Keane

Patchworker, Digital Marketing

Patchwork Hub is THE next-gen employment platform that's placing accessibility first - something that many companies in the same space should be looking up to.

WithVR

Gareth Walkom, CEO

Working with Patchwork Hub was an amazing insight into a startup leading the culture change in the world of work. Beth is extremely passionate and incredibly knowledgeable, and her start-up is providing critical information for companies looking to become more accessible and inclusive. The world of work has permanently changed following the pandemic, and Patchwork Hub provides a great insight into what the future of work should look like.

Lucas Jones

Digital Marketing Executive

I think Patchwork Hub's ethos is really remarkable and special. Especially during times like these (Covid), where the need for accessible work has become more evident than ever, shining a light on the work they do is doubly important. I can only see their mission becoming more and more essential as time goes on. during times like these (Covid), where the need for accessible work has become more evident than ever, shining a light on the work they do is doubly important. I can only see their mission becoming more and more essential as time goes on.

Natalie Vriend

Featured Patchworker, University of Oxford

Disability inclusion is not a chore or cost, it's a massive business opportunity. We're so thrilled to be working with Patchwork Hub as a disability-owned business and leader in this space, ensuring we are doing all we can to attract and retain diverse talent.

2Gether-International

Keevin O'Rourke, Managing Director | Startup Accelerator & Venture Fund (Employer)

Patchworker Spotlight: Jacqueline’s story

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Patchworker Spotlight: Jacqueline’s story

To start, could you please tell us about yourself?

Can you tell us a bit more about your story?

Have you faced any workplace barriers due to your situation? Do you think the ‘conventional’ world of work most employers use needs to change?

If you could change one thing about the world of work or the way employers saw accessibility, what would it be and why?

What inspired you to start doing the work you currently do?

What is the biggest lesson you have learnt from your career to date?

Do you have a favourite quote or personal mantra?

If you could change one thing about people's perception of disability, what would it be?