In Business Project
The In Business project was set up to explore the route to Self-employment and small business ownership for those people with learning disabilities interested in an alternative path to work.
It sought to capture the journey to enterprise with particular focus on innovation, business planning and development and service delivery change.
In Business piloted a number of sites across England that reflected Local Authority and Voluntary Sector settings as well as urban and rural economies.
The aims of the project were to:
- Identify and develop pilot sites in England
- Create a range of opportunities in both rural and urban settings working with local authorities, colleges and voluntary sector agents
- Develop local networks
- Raise the awareness of Self-employment as an option
- Link with mainstream business support
- Assist with business research and planning
- Support people to set up their own business
- Capture learning, examples of good practice and the effects of business culture on day service modernisation
- Produce a step by step guide to the processes involved
Across all pilots, 61 individuals have been supported to explore business options and a further 20 people in small groups have worked on business ideas.We have produced lots of guides, stories and business ideas as well as a community network forum for people to make contact and share experiences.
More information
Read about In Business
For more information about our training, workshops or consultancy services, please contact Keith Bates at: kbates@fpld.org.uk or call 0779 605 3847.
Keith has nearly 20 years’ experience supporting people with learning disabilities. His areas of expertise include supported employment, developing social enterprises, supporting people to set up co-operatives and using trade to develop opportunities.