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The development of Social Enterprises/Firms involving people with learning disabilities is high on the national agenda, with over £73m available over the next four years from Central Government, via the Social Enterprise Fund to progress this type of initiative.

HFT, like many other leading learning disability organisations, are keen to explore and develop the opportunities this approach to employment offers and ensure the people it supports are afforded the opportunity to gain meaningful employment via this route.

Well known social enterprises include: Café Direct, The Big Issue, The Eden Project and Jamie Oliver's '“ Fifteen, with many others operating in a wide range of industries from farmers markets and recycling companies to transport providers and childcare.

We are a long way from competing with the major players listed above, however to progress this area of opportunity, key people within HFT have attended a number of high profile conferences lead by organisations such as Social Firms UK and input has been received at Senior Management level from leading figures in this field.

This has proved to be the catalyst for the development of a number of exciting Social Enterprise initiatives within HFT. 

These include:-

Ø      Café Bella '“ a mobile specialist Coffee unit in Leeds

Ø      Various forms of recycling projects including Print Cartridges

Ø      A Coffee shop

 

In addition to the above a number of the people we support currently work for external social enterprises, that include Wood recycling and card making businesses.

Research study is also currently taking place on the development of a sheltered employment opportunity to create Dog Treats, this is hoped to move into a social firm/enterprise at a later stage.

It is obvious this is an area of the support we provide that will develop and expand greatly in the near future.

HFT's Fund Development Department will be working hard to access some of the monies available. So it is definitely a case of watch this space !

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