Over the last year we have run multiple programmes supporting people across diverse communities in Bury, Stockport, Manchester and Trafford to gain skills, confidence and access to networks.
Courses across each area have combined:
- Our award winning Time to Grow – Social Enterprise Support Programme
- Careers in Holistic Health – accredited courses in natural beauty, holistic therapies and practical experience running community events
- First Aid, Mental Health First Aid and Electrical Testing courses – accredited courses aimed at building workplace knowledge and targeting VCSE organisations and Start Ups
- Wellbeing events and activities
- Information and outreach events
- Plus the development of our SPLASH Network – our social enterprise network bringing together public, private and VCSE sectors and individuals to connect and collaborate.
Over the past 9 months more than 300 people have engaged in opportunities and events including our Christmas Bazaar, Multicultural Christmas event, Wellbeing Retreats/events and networking opportunities.
140 people have accessed courses with 126 people completing meaning we had a 90% retention and completion rate! Plus 70 of those learners (50%) undertook and achieved accredited qualifications at L2 and L3
As well as learning and development opportunities there has been peer support, celebrations and cultural community cohesion activities. 100% of people attending have improved their wellbeing and across our enterprise support and market place activities, more than 51 people are being supported to start or grow a social enterprise through these activities, plus 37 people have seen their income increase in the last 6 months -either through increased trading, investment or new customer development.
We are really proud of how far our learners and evolving networks have come through this programme and the majority of people were new connections to Flourish at the point of joining courses.
Plus we have grown collaborative partnerships and diversified our pool of delivery partners and associates including new holistic therapy tutors and collaborating with Bollyfit Active CIC in Manchester and Happy Me Community CIC in Bury.
This was all possible thanks to hard work from the team, our wider community and backing from the GMCA, Local Councils and WEA. We hope to build in this work and legacy building subject to funding and broader opportunities over the coming year.
