A charity which supports people in Warwickshire living with additional needs has launched a new social enterprise project to give adults the opportunity to learn new skills and raise awareness of disability in the community.
ILEAP has launched a Skills 4 Life “Marketability” scheme in Kenilworth after receiving a £2,000 grant from the Foundation’s Youell Family Fund.
The project, run from The Kenilworth Centre, will see arts and crafts taken to a new level as shabby chic items including wash bags, iPad covers and baby blankets are created by members of the charity and then sold on a market stall.
The profits made from the sale of the items will help to sustain the scheme, which has also received a donation from the Rotary Club of Kenilworth, and any extra money will go back to ILEAP to fund its wider work.
Sessions take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during term time and welcome anyone aged 16 and above with additional needs. As well as arts and crafts, other activities including shopping, cooking, gardening, music, arts and crafts, sports, dance and games are also held.
Peter Bazeley, ILEAP CEO, said:
“Marketability is our attempt at sustaining the wider work of our charity through social enterprise, while adding worthwhile and purposeful activity to our programme.
“Members will have the opportunity to make a variety of items, and once we have built up enough stock we will hold a market stall which they will be able to run and Volunteer at.
“It is an exciting development and ticks all the boxes. It will not only give people a chance to learn new skills, build confidence and have fun, but will also showcase the potential of our members and raise awareness in the community.
“The funding from the Heart of England Community Foundation has enabled us to develop the project with minimum risk, and go the extra mile in ensuring our service is as social and as user friendly as possible.”
Tina Costello, CEO of the Foundation, said:
“We have awarded grants to some amazing organisations which have made an incredible difference in their communities.
“We hear from so many causes that are making a positive impact on people’s lives and we look forward to supporting even more in the future.”