Enabling people with support needs to set up social care enterprises

Appendix BThe Project Co-ordinator has worked with 12 enterprises that were looking for some help,support and advice to enable it to get off the ground or to become more sustainable:1. DanceSyndromeJenny who has Down’s Syndrome always had a passion for dance and after employing aPersonal Assistant with the same enthusiasm, developed DanceSyndrome, a socialenterprise which aims to meet a need, to provide leadership training and performanceopportunities in dance for people with a learning disability supported by non-disabledtrained dancers. In turn the opportunity is afforded to disadvantaged or isolated communityparticipants to engage in dance activities which are rarely available to them.Interventions Outcomes ChallengesJenny and family requestedsome support from theProject to identify relevantfunding streams in order tosustain the enterpriseSuccessful applications toAwards for All and Unltdallowed them to search fordancers and set up initialpilot workshops which havebeen very well received.DanceSyndrome now has apool of 14 dancers with andwithout a disability.Dance workshops are codeliveredacross the NorthWest to organisations andpeople, some of whom havea learning disability.Without the considerabledrive, commitment,resources and passion ofJenny’s family it is unlikelythat this enterprise wouldhave become establishedand sustained.Sourcing core funding isimperative in order to makethis enterprise sustainable.One year on andDanceSyndrome is recruitingmore dancers who wish tobecome leaders to join thesocial enterprise as demandhas far outstripped supply.2. Jam ClubPete has enduring mental health issues and is involved with a local inclusion and resourcecentre which aims to support people with mental health needs to develop and move intovolunteering/work. Pete delivers one to one guitar lessons and runs a ‘Jam club’ for people17