Business Ability

Programmes offering support for individuals with mental health problems to run their own businesses are still rare, yet self-employment could be an ideal approach for many people. In this issue we offer profiles of two pan-disability agencies providing support for individuals to move towards self-employment and entrepreneurship. Business Ability is a multi-agency project operating in the south east, offering comprehensive packages of support tailored to each individual's need. East Lanes Into Employment, a charity based in Burnley, also offers a range of support for self-employment, but with different components. Both agencies are working successfully with individuals with mental health problems and business survival rates are good. Usefully, these agencies have been able to identify critical success factors for working with this group, which may be of particular interest to A Life in the Day readers. We conclude with a book review.

Business Ability is a flexible partnership programme offering support for individuals with disabilities to become economically active through self-employment and entrepreneurship. The highly successful operation in south east England is delivered by Enham in partnership with The Prince's Trust, Job Centre Plus and Project Action Ltd.

The programme is highly tailored to individual need and provides a package of support made up from the following elements: initial assessment; exploration of aims, personal circumstances, feasibility of business idea; individual action plans; support to develop a business plan; benefits advice and routeway options; help to secure Access to Work support; access to ongoing business training and marketing opportunities; access to in-kind support eg. free computers; financial assistance through grants/preferential rate loans, and ongoing mentor support.

The duration of the programme is flexible, although the majority of participants are on it for three months or less. People with mental health issues may often require more time, and their progress is frequently non-linear with periodic setbacks and a need for additional support and confidence building.

The multi-agency nature of Business Ability allows each partner to contribute different expertise and resources. Enham has a lead role as the legal entity through which the project is delivered, providing cash flow, accommodation and support services. The Prince's Trust helps with accommodation, awards panels, mentors and operational support. Job Centre Plus provides a full-time disability employment adviser on secondment to the project. Project Action Ltd provides project development, evaluation and operational support. A number of other organisations eg. trusts, local enterprise agencies and business start-up specialists also play a role. Clients have specifically praised the way Business Ability brings together a range of different agencies to provide the support needed.

Business Ability's target client group is disabled people of working age and approximately 30% identify themselves as having mental health problems. Approximately 38% of business start-ups are owned by individuals with mental health problems. For many other individuals, mental ill health may be a secondary rather than primary disability. However this can still constitute a significant barrier to employment.

The range of businesses considered is wide, as is the range of businesses actually started. Businesses developed by participants with mental health problems fall into two main types. One is where individuals use existing skills but in a more flexible and independent way; the other involves setting up businesses that offer a lower stress life-style eg. gardening or decorating.

Business sustainability has been good: 85% of programme completers who had operated their businesses for six months or more after ceasing to draw benefits are still trading after six months. Many of these clients had already traded for up to six months prior to ceasing benefits through test-trading programmes.

The Business Ability programme is currently available in Surrey, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Thames Valley and Sussex, and funding has been through Job Centre Plus (work preparation contracts), ESF Objective 3 and grant-giving trusts. Business Ability is now developing local partnerships in other parts of the country.

Critical success factors in working with individuals with mental health problems include: specialist expertise in working with this group; a flexible funding regime (some individuals may need longer programmes and higher levels of support); individualised programmes; the availability of ongoing, one-to-one support and mentoring; the need to work closely with community support and healthcare workers, and a staff skill mix of enterprise and benefits expertise.

For further information contact:

Roshan Bailey, Chair, Business Ability Ltd,

Elmgrove, Normandy, Surrey GU3 2AS

Tel: 01483 234943

Email: Roshan.bailey@projectaction.co.uk

Copyright Pavilion Publishing (Brighton) Ltd. Feb 2004
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