Community Choice and Inclusion (Wales)

Community Choice and Inclusion

Who are we and what we aim to do…..:

 We are a newly formed Social Enterprise that promotes the inclusion of Carers and Disabled People in Community Life.  We work across Wales developing projects that enhance inclusion, for example – Transition support networks for young disabled people, Lifelong Advocacy Networks for Older Carers, Workshops for Parent Carers on developing family led Networks of Support.

We currently employ 3 people and provide Volunteering opportunities for another 2.  We generate income via Contracts with Local Authorities, Private Care Agencies and small Grant aided funds.

We are members of In Control and subscribe to the principles of Citizens Directed Support.

Our Journey into Social Enterprise…

Both Directors of the Enterprise have a background in Community Development and it is our belief that everyone has something to contribute to the community.  We formed as a Community Interest Company in May 2010 as a way to directly develop and promote Inclusion for all.

We have backgrounds of working with a variety of Agencies, across many sectors, including the Health, Social Care, Private and Voluntary Sectors, it is only by working together can we make a difference.

Social Enterprises can play a critical role in enabling sectors to work together towards a shared end.  Setting up a new Social Enterprise is a lonely experience at least in the first 6 months trying to find your niche, but in the end it is worth the effort.

Our advice to other fledgling enterprises is to give yourself time and space to develop. If you at least try, you will have no regrets, regardless of the outcome.

Our core belief is that there is no such thing as a normal person, we are all abnormal and as such we need to celebrate our Diversity.

Replicating Success

The notion of Social Enterprise is well known, however in Wales there are still too few examples of successfully functioning enterprises. We need more people to get going on setting up their own social enterprises.  A rich resource for growing more enterprises is Disabled People and Carers. For  many access to mainstream employment is not an option due to attitudes and inaccessible environments, this community of people with the right support can grow their own Enterprises and enhance the fabric of our community.