Our current funders in the South West include;

The European Social Fund

We are striving to provide training and employment opportunities for people recovering from severe mental illness, a group who are often precluded from such opportunities. We continue to build towards co-operative links with the business world, clinicians and also through our strong links with European partners in the field of mental health rehabilitation.

In contrast to the public’s current perceptions, mental illness is as common as heart disorder, 3 times as common as cancer.

(Source: Mental Health Foundation).

The Social Firm Initiative was a joint venture between Bristol Workways Ltd and Spectrum Day Services (previously Phoenix NHS Trust). It was part funded by the European Social Fund under the Employment Horizon Strand. This European funding encompasses development work in 1997 and then operational project work through 1998 to the end of 1999.

The following summary highlights the main aims of the Social Firm Initiative, "....... we will create a management framework to pilot and establish Social Firms for adults with mental health and learning difficulties in the South West Region of the UK. The project will support and enable integration back into the labour market of the above groups through the provision of life, key and vocational skills. Training will be in real work settings based on the Social Firm model. Also, a course for staff, as Agents of Change, will be disseminated and developed. The project will add to national and transnational good practice".

The project has three main strands;

• Piloting of 10 Social Enterprises/Social Firms in employment units currently operated by Bristol Workways Ltd and Spectrum Day Services (previously Phoenix NHS Trust).
• Developing and running a ‘Train the Trainer’ course for staff working with people with learning difficulties.
• Establishment of an ‘umbrella’ management structure for the development of these Social Firm structures in the Bristol region.

For more information, please contact;

For learning difficulties initiatives;
Joanne Pearce, Employment Services Manager
Spectrum Day Services (previously Phoenix NHS Trust)
Brentry Hospital, Charlton Road
Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS10 6JH
England
Tel: 0044 (0)117 9085000
Fax: 0044 (0)117 9592308

To develop an innovative management framework to enable the successful establishment of Social Firm structures in the Bristol Region.

To establish initiatives based on the Social Firm model which will generate incomes and make them more self sufficient and sustainable and contribute to the provision of support and service to people with a mental illness or learning difficulties.

To develop a train the trainer course for learning difficulties trainers in Social Firms, including University accreditation.

Promote consultancy services, systems and structures regarding operations of Social Firms within the UK and transnationally.

Design, produce and promote documents, brochures and guidelines on operations of Social Firms.

To identify new markets for employment within the Bristol and surrounding area.

To develop a network in the Bristol Region, principally of people with and agencies involved in learning difficulties and mental health problems, but with the object of improved regional networking with disadvantaged groups community wide.

To ensure that service users are empowered in the establishment of Social Firm initiatives and their views and goals monitored and evaluated throughout the project.

To maintain and develop good communications with our transnational and national partners and with other Social Firm initiatives to ensure that national and transnational good practice is transferred.

Please let us know if you require more information about our projects. We would be particularly pleased to hear from:-