The Citizens Trust

History of The Citizens Trust

The Citizens Trust is a well-established and leading provider of Welfare to Work programmes. It has, over the years, developed an enviable reputation for delivering innovative and successful employability programmes, especially for those furthest removed from the labour market.

The organization was formed in 1996, as the Disability Times Trust, under the Chairmanship of Lord Morris of Manchester, the UK’s first Minister for Disabled People. After several years of successfully delivering services to disabled people, the need became apparent for support for many other potentially disadvantaged communities - such as lone parents, asylum seekers, older people, people from minority ethnic backgrounds and ex-offenders. To reflect that need, the trading name was changed to The Citizens Trust, under which banner the organization now offers its services to all sections of the community.

In 2004, the Trust acquired its own 11,000 sq ft freehold premises in Ealing. This fully accessible building meant the organization could extend its services even further. Strong links were developed with leading local employers such as Sainsbury’s, Next, Wincanton and many others, as well as chambers of commerce, such as West London Business Network. The organization works closely with these through the work of its inhouse job brokerage team, Into Work.

In 2006, in the House of Lords, the Trust launched its innovative Second Chance initiative, working to promote employability for ex-offenders and so help tackle the UK’s ever-increasing re-offending rate.