Young disabled Londoners have been urged to make the most of a new multi-million pound programme which seeks help them gain employment.

Jack McLellan, 25, from Hornchurch, has an undiagnosed form of muscular dystrophy and knows first hand how difficult it can be to find work for those living with a disability as he struggled to find a job after he completed his university degree.

However, thanks to Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Moving Up programme, which provides mentoring, support and work experience for disabled Londoners aged 16 to 30, Jack was able to boost his confidence and eventually find work.

Now other young Londoners with a disability can follow Jack’s example thanks to a £3.3m initiative by The City of London Corporation’s City Bridge trust.

The programme will see the money split between a number of charities, including Muscular Dystrophy UK, who work towards tackling the issues that stand in the way of young disabled people finding work.

Jack shared his own experience to encourage them not to be disheartened in their pursuit of employment.

“I was so disheartened when I first tried to find work after university that I needed a real boost to my confidence and skills to get on the right track,” said Jack.

“When I came out of uni I expected to find work pretty quickly, I was a hard worker and would throw myself into anything and I don’t think I was given an opportunity to show that to my employer.

“It made me feel really low when I realised there wasn’t work for me. I felt isolated and that I was the only one going through this.

“I think I saw the Moving Up programme online, I was a bit nervous and worried about applying but at the end of the day I didn’t have anything to lose at that point and I thought it was worth giving it a go.

“The Moving Up programme helped me gain experience, try out new roles and get that crucial break of a first job. I hope this new support means lots more young people are given the same chance to show their worth.”