East Lancs into Employment

East Lanes into Employment (ELE) is a charity established in 1991 offering a wide range of employment-related programmes to individuals with disabilities, including work preparation courses, workshop-based work experience/training and support for self-employment.

The programmes that provide support for self-employment include:

* small business starter units offering safe, supported working environments. Tenants can lease the 'supported units' for as long as they like. There are also other 'temporary spaces' within ELE premises that those with ideas for self-employment can use for several hours a week

* modular self-employment programmes comprising 12 units in which the individual works with a personal advisor to develop a business plan and consider all aspects of business operation (marketing, website design, financial systems, disability issues, individual training needs, benefits issues). The modular nature of this course allows individuals to take it at their own pace

* business support services, which can include: office services; management support; facilitating access to local business support services; facilitating access to training, and helping to secure low cost loans

* a 'Learn to Earn' scheme' whereby income from product sales is held by ELE and can be drawn on for future purchase of equipment or materials or used as seed money at the time of business start-up.

ELE service users present with a range of disabilities, of which mental health issues form one aspect. Where service users do have mental health issues, they are predominantly individuals recovering from illness rather than those living with enduring mental health problems.

At any one time ELE provides ongoing support to approximately 50 individuals - some developing businesses within the starter units, others operating businesses from commercial premises or home. Many of these new businesses are operated by individuals with a history of mental health problems. Many of these new businesses have been art and craft enterprises.

Business survival rates are very high. After one year, 80% of new businesses are still operating, after the second year 60%, and after three years the rate remains 60%. In the last three years only ten businesses have failed. The key factor in these cases is reported to be health problems.

The work of ELE has been financially underpinned through a wide range of funding streams since it was first established, including the Single Regeneration Budget, the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund, local borough councils, the Learning and Skills Council and health, economic development and charitable trusts.

Critical success factors in working with individuals with mental health problems have been: a modular programme that can accommodate individuals with fluctuating health problems; employment of well-trained staff who not only have business experience but have also some experience of disability or mental illness issues; flexibility in programme design allowing individuals to work at their own pace and repeat certain programme elements if required, and provision of help for individuals to access funds/loans.

For more information contact: Brenda Kean, Manager, East Lanes into Employment, Queen Street Mill Business Units, Harrison Street, Harle Syke, Burnley BBlO 2HE

Tel: 01282 456186

Copyright Pavilion Publishing (Brighton) Ltd. Feb 2004
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