AN INNOVATIVE programme of intensive support to help disabled people in Tees Valley create their own job or find work kicks off with a series of events next week.
The initiative follows news that the Government is pressing ahead with plans to close sheltered factories run by Remploy in Stockton and Hartlepool, with the aim of transferring 140 workers to mainstream employment.
The programme is being set up by Social Firms aNd Enterprise (SFNE), a not-for-profit company that supports disabled people and those with mental health problems begin in business or work.
“Many disabled people are tired of trying to persuade employers we have something to offer,” said Guy Turnbull, one of the event organisers.
“For some of us, the easiest way of dealing with this is to set up our own businesses. For others, they need specialist help to find a job.”
SFNE initiatives include two Enterprise Workshops on Wednesday and Thursday, a dedicated Micro Memo website for business ideas and advice, The Agency, which will help disabled people find work and The Social Firm Club on Wednesday evening for entrepreneurs with disabilities.
The events will be rounded off by The Forum, for those working with disabled people on Friday.
SFNE has already helped establish a number of businesses, such as Woodcraft for Landscape, which makes wooden items for gardens and does landscape gardening in Wheatley Hill. It is also working with Denise McLleary, to set up Herbees, which will grow herbs around Tyne and Wear.
“Setting up any business is hard,” said Denise. “Without SFNE I very much doubt we would have got so close to setting up our business, which is ready to go once we find a small plot of land.”
Disabled people, their carers and people who work with them are being invited to take advantage of the activities.
The programme, which is free, is sponsored by the Learning and Skills Council. To find out more, contact Carol Bell at carolbell@sfne.org.uk or call 0797 443 1738.
Source: nebusiness.co.uk
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1 comment:
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