Bailey Products based in the historic manufacturing district of Digbeth, Birmingham has been working closely with a local charity over the past three years to help create employment opportunities for local residents. As part of their Corporate Social Responsibility commitment they have joined forces with BITA Pathways a leading mental health charity.

BITA Pathways have been providing a range of services for adults experiencing mental ill health over the past 50 years. Luke Coad, Sales and Marketing Manager explains “BITA promotes personal growth and independence, focusing on the development of skills to offer a pathway to education, volunteering and employment for those with mental health challenges”.

Bailey Products supports the charity’s Social Enterprise programme which aims to create opportunities for work experience placements within a commercial environment which ultimately plays a crucial role in skill development. Participants embark upon a comprehensive training programme that replicates industry standard requirements, leading to work experience placements by equipping individuals with the skill-sets required to meet external employer’s needs.

Back in December 2012, BITA Pathways undertook their first job for Bailey Products to assist with capacity shortfalls. The charity was paid for participants to undertake a variety of assembly operations which included basic inspection. Three years later and this job continues to be outsourced to the BITA Pathways project.

Luke continues to say “our relationship with Bailey Products has continued to grow and we now process a number of jobs including assembling rubber plungers, DTP’s, brushes and we hope to develop our relationship further to benefit all parties”.

BITA Pathways is a charity that Bailey Products supports with a view to further support the local community and other worthwhile causes. They are proud to still boast the fact that their renown Bailey Blue Rod drainage rods are still being manufactured in England 45 years on, demonstrating their commitment to local manufacturing.