Throughout 2023, and as part of GMCVO’s Inclusion Grant Programme (funded by GMICP), Flourish Together piloted an intensive, co-produced ‘Social Enterprise/Changemaker Development’ pilot programme with a group of women changemakers with additional needs.
The aims were twofold: first, to provide a tailored social venture support programme that accelerates changemakers’ learning and venture development. Second, to increase understanding of the barriers faced by people with additional needs when accessing business support services, and share these learnings with the wider VCSE sector and beyond.
We recruited 7 women changemakers for the year-long initiative which was co-designed with the group and featured 3 key strands:
- A tailored social venture development programme providing essential tools, learning opportunities, presentations from invited speakers and intensive1-2-1 support.
- Peer learning events, with participants given the opportunity to create and deliver content themselves, showcase their ventures and in doing so develop relationships with potential strategic partners.
- “Train the supporter” events, held in person, with content and format co-created with participants.
The Changemakers
The programme design was a collaborative effort, with the invaluable insights and contributions of the following participating women changemakers working with the Flourish team to shape its development:
Sumaira Naseem, Visual Difference – Sumaira is a visual difference artist, social entrepreneur and researcher navigating sight loss and disability whilst using this understanding to help alleviate barriers for the next generation.
Karen Haworth, Brain Health Breakthrough CIC – Brain Health Breakthrough enables people and organisations to develop techniques and build confidence to positively impact mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Kirsty Gallagher, Yellow Beacon CIC – Kirsty’s work empowers people to harness the power of mindfulness in a trauma-sensitive way and actively working to prevent retraumatisation and promote nervous system regulation.
Mary Olanrejawu, Equal Education Chances – Mary is a disability/SEN tutor and advocate, life coach and mentor supporting children, youth and families living with disabilities and additional needs in Manchester and Nigeria.
Jill Clifford, The Community Counsellor – Jill is a lived experience representative and leader providing counselling support to those that can’t afford to wait or pay and not just at crisis point.
Innovative Programme Approach
The co-design approach, which involved the group in shaping the programme from its inception, ensured it was relevant and accessible. With participants regularly asked for feedback throughout the programme could be made throughout in response to people’s changing needs.
“[The pre-planning and co-design] was essential for me as it meant that the programme met my needs and the programme curriculum has enabled me to develop and grow my business. Other programmes I have attended have left me feeling overwhelmed.”
“Being involved from the ideas stage of the programme, I appreciated being genuinely listened to and heard.”
The group particularly welcomed the programme’s flexibility, smaller group size and wraparound support which allowed them to work at their own pace and take care of any health needs that arose.
“The flexibility that has been offered has made a massive difference – Zoom, option to not speak, camera off, arriving later to events – that has been key for me.”
“I felt there was more space to check in with each other and explore topics at a slower pace than we would usually do with other programmes and this was helpful for me.”
“I was able to stay with it, despite a complication in one of my long term conditions. It was great to be able to catch up at my own pace and still be included.”
“Nobody had to leave the course which is unusual on a course with disabilities.”
The group also particularly valued the peer support from other social entrepreneurs in similar circumstances.
“The opportunity to work closely with people in a similar situation with energy limiting conditions, on same wavelength and able to understand each other, that was massive.”
“A sense of belonging with other entrepreneurs who understand how it is to run an enterprise alongside a long term condition or disability.”
“More inclusive, more specific, tailored to people with energy limiting conditions rather than generic support.”
Programme Impact
- All participants’ reported increased confidence levels which jumped from and average of 6.5 to 8.5 out of 10.
- 80% of participants formed 5-10 new connections, while 20% made over 10 new connections.
- All participants reported improved ability to move their venture forward including securing increases in funding, clarity in structuring their ventures, recruiting additional staff and making connections leading to new business opportunities.
- Everyone in the group reported that they had developed a range of practical skills/tools that would help them progress their venture. These included presentation writing skills, business planning, marketing, bid-writing, impact reporting, GDPR systems and public speaking skills.
- The group also reported various shifts in mindset, personal growth, newfound resilience , overcoming limiting beliefs to discover a renewed sense of purpose and heightened aspirations for the future.
“The main thing for me is an ability to think more strategically. I’ve struggled with this and this programme has helped with this – e.g. thinking about the challenges we solve, how it links together.”
“The programme has helped me take on new staff and set new systems in place to help us expand. This enabled my organisation to carry on whilst I took time out due to illness.”
“The supporter days were a real highlight for me. They provided an opportunity for to me to make connections across GM, which I knew was the next step for my enterprise. This is something I find really difficult to do – make initial connections with people… It was really beneficial to have a space to be able to do this that felt safe enough for me and where I knew people attending had an interest in the day.”
“I’m starting to see lived experience as an asset… will attract the right clients by being open and honest about it, resonate more with the right people, has helped me to overcome this.“
“I struggle with a lot of self-doubt and having people be excited about my work was really validating for me.“
“My hopes for the future? That’s a big one for me – to get my career back on track after being diagnosed with health issues over 20 years ago. Fighting my way back.“
At Flourish Together we have learnt loads from this pilot programme and the impressive group of women changemakers who shaped and participated in the programme. The programme been inspiring to work on and we know we have just scratched the surface when it comes to unlocking talent amongst social entrepreneurs working with additional challenges.
Looking ahead we aim to build on what we’ve learnt so far to find ways to enable more people consciously step out of their comfort zone, overcome doubt and personal difficulties to embrace opportunities connect and share their stories with the world.
If you would like more detail about this programme, or you are interested in getting involved/partnering future inclusion programmes contact shelley@flourishtogether.org.uk.
