Enterprising opportunities 0910

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Enterprising Opportunities CIC promotes, develops and supports businesses working for a social purpose.

Company Registration No. 1937728

1 www.enterprisingopps.org.uk 01227 844 499 [email protected]

Quality learning with the individual at the heart of everything we do.

01227 844 449 www. learntocare. com Company Registration No. 1937728

Enterprising Opportunities CIC promotes, develops, and supports

businesses working for a social purpose

01227 844499 www.enterprisingopps.org.uk


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Message from Chairman, Charles Bicker

An annual report is a great chance to look back on the year and reflex on our achievements

and experiences. Enterprising Opportunities CIC has had a successful year but, as always, we

cannot just sit on our successes, but must use them to grow and develop. Moving in to Kent

Enterprise House has brought us even closer to Kent Enterprise Trust, so that next year, as we

build on our successes, we can help build theirs too.

I will be stepping down as Chairman next year and Arthur Pybus

will be my replacement, I wish him every success and I will continue

to support Enterprising Opportunities in any way I can.

Charles Bicker, speaking at the opening

of Kent Enterprise House.

Wow........ What a year!

Enterprising Opportunities CIC (EOPPs) has had another big year in 2009/10. In July 2009 we

moved into new premises, Kent Enterprise House in Herne Bay, following approximately 18

months of hard planning with the owner and our partner, Kent Enterprise Trust. This is a big

commitment for the future of EOPPS and our belief in the importance of our support to as

Message from John Bland, Chief Executive Officer

Enterprising Opportunities CIC supports businesses

with a social purpose. Those businesses create

opportunities for employment, work skills and

training for disadvantaged people.

“ ”

Arthur Pybus at Kent Enterprise

House.

Charles Bicker

Chairman

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John Bland meeting the Mayor when

we moved into Kent Enterprise

John Bland

Chief Executive Officer

well as our working relationship with Kent Enterprise Trust (KET).

All Seasons and Learn to Care (now Learn to...) have performed well, having to deal with very

challenging environments. They have helped the group not just survive the recession but set us

up to positively and proactively look to the future, even with the onset of the country‟s tough

times ahead.

The commitment, energy and can do attitude of all the staff has been amazing. I pass on my

thanks and appreciation to everyone, without the team we would not be as successful as we are:

“Individually we are one drop. Together we are an ocean” (Ryunosuke Satoro)

We have expanded our work as a Social Enterprise and the benefits that we bring to the local

community as well as to individuals (Social Purpose).

You will be able to learn more about the achievements of the individual business‟s and projects

as you read through our review.

I am, obviously, very proud of all our achievements but I would just like to highlight a few that I

feel are worth an extra „blowing of our trumpet’: (See box below)

I now look forward to facing the clearly tough challenges ahead with the team and know that we

will not only continue to develop what we have but will be looking to explore new social

enterprise opportunities.

1. The continuation of work within the

community, and prospering through a time of

economic uncertainty

2. Continuing to support our main operations

All Seasons and Learn to ...

3. Placing 22 people under the Future Jobs

Fund programme

4. Moving to Kent Enterprise House

5. Introduction of formalised apprenticeship

programme

6. Donation of over £42,000 to Kent

Enterprise Trust

7. Our continued commitment to Mindful

Employer

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Enterprising Opportunities CIC is a Community

Interest Company (CIC) looking to promote and

create innovative ways to support and develop

organisations based in Kent.

We provide employment, work skills and training

opportunities for disadvantaged people, taking pride

in the individual‟s needs.

Services are provided at a local level to benefit the community and employers,

particularly in areas of deprivation and growth regeneration.

Enterprising Opportunities CIC became a Community Interest Company in 2007

after complying to strict regulations. Enterprising Opportunities was born out of

Canterbury and District Enterprise Trust (CADET), a charity set up in 1981. Our

links with CADET (now called Kent Enterprise Trust, KET) are still strong today.

The organisation owns, manages and supports Learn to Care (who has now

changed their name to Learn to… due to expansion out of the care industry) which

is a City and Guilds approved NVQ assessment and training centre, and All Seasons

which is a domiciliary care provider.

The operating arms, Learn to ... and All Seasons, enable Enterprising Opportunities

CIC to fulfill its social remit by generating employment, training and income that is

transferred as gift aid to Kent Enterprise Trust.

Enterprising Opportunities supports businesses

with a social purpose. Those businesses create

opportunities for employment, work

skills and training for disadvantaged people

(Enterprising Opportunities CIC mission statement)

“ ”

Introduction

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Enterprising Opportunities CIC owns and supports

domiciliary care provider All Seasons.

All Seasons has been providing care and support to people in

Kent since 1983 and is a long established and trusted

organisation. The team of approximately 250 carers provide

over 800 clients with quality, professional assistance enabling

them to remain independent in their own homes.

All Seasons also provides a range of services from personal assistance to help

clients enjoy hobbies such as attending football matches or going shopping right

through to palliative care.

The regulatory body, Care Quality Commission (CQC) has awarded All Seasons

with the highest possible rating of three stars, which means that „people using this

service experience excellent outcomes‟.

Care Workers are carefully selected and inducted to provide a professional service

and are specifically trained by City and Guilds approved training centre, Learn to ....

All Seasons train their staff in specialist areas such as dementia, diabetes and stroke

to name but a few.

All Seasons are a Kent County Council approved provider and an NHS willing

provider and accepts many forms of payment (including the Kent Card).

All Seasons

recognises the

intrinsic value

of people as

individuals and

the specific

nature of their

needs.

All Seasons

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Enterprising Opportunities CIC owns

and supports training provider

Learn to …

Learn to ... has been delivering NVQs to

the health and social care sector since

2001. During that time more than 1500

people have trained with them and more

than 300 care organisations have

benefited from highly qualified staff.

Learn to ...

In 2007 Learn to ... became part of Enterprising Opportunities CIC as it was

rapidly expanding its provision outside the health and social care sector. Being

part of a bigger organisation and a social enterprise strengthened Learn to ... „s

position in the market place. The ethos of high quality training remains.

Building on the success of the health and social care NVQs, Learn to ... is

delivering a suite of management training courses for the new or experienced

manager. In addition, Learn to ... offer e-assessment and online courses, keeping

abreast of technological advances in the industry.

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Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)

Enterprising Opportunities CIC has been registered as a Criminal Records Bureau

(CRB) umbrella body since 2002. As an Umbrella body, Enterprising Opportunities

CIC acts as an intermediary between organisations who choose to use the service

and the CRB. They also provide administrative resources and expertise in CRB, help

and assistance in order to comply with the CRB Code of Practice, and in

understanding the information provided within the CRB check.

“We now have 24 clients, an increase of 37.5% since last year. This valuable income for

Enterprising Opportunities allows us to broaden our service base and give back to the

community. We hope that this increase continues next year.” Janice Squires, HR Manager.

Skills for Care

Enterprising Opportunities CIC provides support for Skills for Care, including

database management, minute taking, designing presentations, and managing meetings.

Care Navigator/Social Care Brokerage Service

Our Care Navigator and Social Care Brokerage Service enables disabled and older

people to find the right care for their needs and budget.

Support Services

Enterprising Opportunities CIC provides support services to Learn to …, All

Seasons and Kent Enterprise Trust, consisting of marketing, finance, HR and IT

support.

Other projects

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Objectives

Enterprising Opportunities CIC‟s objectives are to carry out activities which benefit

the community and in particular to;

1) promote, found or assist for the public benefit in the creation of social

enterprises, particularly in areas of deprivation and growth.

2) develop social enterprises that contribute to the sustainable

development of the local economy.

3) assist and/or take the initiative in the creation of work opportunities,

particularly for disadvantaged groups.

4) promote and provide training to support the aim of employment or to

sustain employment.

5) advise on matters affecting the organisation and management of social

enterprise and small enterprises.

6) provide support services for social enterprise and small enterprises.

7) own or carry on all or any trade or business in furtherance of the

objects that shall from time to time be decided by the Directors.

8) work in partnership, close co-operation, support and assist the work of

the registered charity Kent Enterprise Trust.

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Enterprising Opportunities CIC contributes to the community by;

supporting All Seasons (Kent) Ltd, a domiciliary care provider, and Learn to ..., a

training and NVQ assessment centre creating work and training opportunities in

areas of deprivation.

supporting a care navigator service which provides information, advice and

guidance to many older people in Thanet.

providing a social care brokerage service in East Kent, partnering with MENCAP,

and fellow CIC, Skillnet.

acting as an umbrella body for voluntary, charity and social enterprise sectors for

the CRB.

offering training and support in the voluntary, charity and social enterprise sectors

to improve and promote sustainable income streams in the sector. We also deliver

training and promotion events to public sector commissioners and managers to

stimulate interest and understanding about social enterprise.

being active members of the „Mindful Employer‟ charter, showing that we are

welcoming and accommodating of mental wellbeing.

creating a comprehensive environmental plan in conjunction with staff, which

includes a green pledge and travel plan to improve our positive environmental

impact.

running a „Fit for Life‟ scheme in house which encourages our staff and

stakeholders to be more active, promotes mental wellbeing and be healthier at

work.

providing Skills for Care administration support in the Kent region, aiding

partnership working in the health and social care sector. In addition, we administer

Training Strategy Implementation fund (TSI) on behalf of lead partner All Seasons

and Skills for Care.

employing 22 people from the Future Jobs Fund.

placing 6 work experience placements from Thanet College, Whitstable College,

and Shaw Trust.

Social Impact

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Enterprising Opportunities CIC moved to

Kent Enterprise House in July 2009 to allow

growth and support the Community

Enterprise Hub and Conference Centre.

The team were actively involved in the

planning and design of Kent Enterprise House

allowing staff to be a part of its creation and

the future of the company.

By being a part of a community hub, it allows

Enterprising Opportunities to network and

Move to Kent Enterprise House

support other voluntary, charity and social enterprise organisations.

Lord Mayor of Canterbury, opens

Kent Enterprise House in October 2009.

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Apprenticeship Programme

Jon Butterworth joined Enterprising Opportunities CIC as the inaugural apprentice

in a scheme that is hoped to expand rapidly. We asked Jon what he thought of the

programme.

How did you come about being an apprentice?

Near the end of my IT course at Thanet College, we had a discussion about

apprenticeships. Once I had finished the course I started to look for work but

wasn‟t very successful as there weren‟t many vacancies available at the time. I later

received a phone call from Thanet College saying that an apprenticeship offer had

come up, and I had been recommended to apply with a few other students. I went to

an interview and got the place!

What are the benefits of apprenticeships?

Mainly that you don‟t need a huge amount of experience and you gain a qualification

as you work. This is mostly based on the tasks you perform at work, rather than

written theory work which is great for hands on people like me!

What do you like about working at Enterprising Opportunities?

Everyone is very appreciative of the work I do. This makes me feel good about

working here and solving IT problems. It is a very interesting place to work, with all

the different companies under one roof. Being in

IT, this means each job can be completely different

as each company has different needs. It is definitely

a job role that makes me want to go to work! I

enjoy working with my manager and the team.

Are there any down points about

apprenticeships?

I think the only disadvantage is the pay in

comparison with other jobs. But for me this is

made up by the experience and qualification I am

gaining.

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In March 2009 the unemployment rate in the UK was the highest it had been since

1997. The government launched a programme called Future Jobs Fund which

aimed to get 170,000 unemployed 18-24 year olds back into work through the

creation of additional jobs. Enterprising Opportunities CIC jumped at the chance

to get involved in the scheme and employed 22 people. The new employees have

taken roles ranging from reception, administration, marketing, IT, finance, gardening,

caring to name a few.

Rebecca Smith, HR Development Manager said, “The fund has allowed us to tackle

challenges that we were under resourced for., for example by analysing in detail the

market we work in and working on the website. The quality of work produced by

the FJF team has helped us to focus our attention on our remit of providing

employment, work skills and training opportunities for people looking to enter into

employment. It has enabled our organisation to grow and provided twenty-two 18-

24 year olds either permanent positions or 6 months experience, which is

invaluable in this current working climate when jobs are not abundant.”

One of the new recruits is Joe Nicell (pictured below). From the age of 15 Joe

dreamed of working in marketing and was thrilled to get a job at Enterprising

Opportunities CIC in the marketing team. Joe‟s aspirations are strengthening. “My

feelings towards a career in marketing have become stronger and I now have my

heart set on it. Even the harder aspects of working here are great, such as

preparing for events, exhibitions etc. There is a lot of pressure to get stuff done in

very little time, but it all pays off when its goes well.”

Future Jobs Fund

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Financial Breakdown

Income

Expenditure

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As a group operating as a social enterprise,

100% of any surplus profit is donated to

registered charity Kent Enterprise Trust (KET),

which runs community based projects.

In addition to this monetary benefit,

Enterprising Opportunities support teams (e.g.

HR, Finance, Marketing, IT) help KET to

smoothly run their charity.

During this financial year, Kent Enterprise Trust

ran three main projects:

Hambrook Marshes is set in the floodplain of the Great Stour just outside

Canterbury and is a site of special conservation interest and borders a local nature

reserve. The marshes are maintained by Kent Enterprise Trust along with volunteers

of varying horticultural experience and knowledge from professional through to the

very inexperienced. Throughout the past 12 months the volunteers have completed

over 1000 volunteer hours. The general public, “Friends of Hambrook Marshes”,

and various groups such as Kent Refugee Action Network and Kent Council for

Addiction play a key part in the site‟s management.

Appleseed provides a community based professional gardening service whilst

ensuring disadvantaged people receive horticultural training. Trainees gain work

experience and personal development opportunities to enable them to overcome

individual challenges in the workplace through a range of horticultural projects.

Trainees work alongside a team of experienced gardening professionals, gaining skills

in horticulture and a sense of purpose and confidence through the work day routine.

Where the money goes

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Kent Enterprise House, the newest of KET‟s ventures, is a business and

conference centre offering a unique working and meeting experience. With fully

equipped meeting and training rooms, a conference suite, and manned reception,

they are able to offer a highly sought after meeting experience.

In addition, KET boasts a modern open plan office, with ergonomically friendly

designed furniture, high specification computers and phones which is atop-quality,

yet affordable alternative working environment. The KET Hub focuses on the

community, voluntary and social enterprise sectors and allows like minded

organisations to meet and work in a socially inclusive environment.

Enterprising Opportunities CIC is proud of it‟s association with Kent Enterprise

Trust and the work that both organisations are able to give back to the community.

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John Baker, Investors in People

assessor, visited Enterprising

Opportunities CIC in November

2009.

Excerpts from the report include:

John was “impressed with the progress that has been made since the last review.

People were enthusiastic about their jobs and felt there was a clear commitment to

ensure their learning and development needs were met. People feel that

communication is open and that they are encouraged to accept responsibility for

what they do, are able to make suggestions for improvements in the knowledge that

they would be listened to, their ideas positively received. People identified that

they feel more settled after the recent move. I was impressed with the way in

which the company has moved forward and there is a great deal of good practice

taking place.

“People identified that the company was inclusive and they associated strongly with

their respective teams. The company manages equality and diversity well and I

found many good examples of learning and development opportunities taking place

for people in a complete spectrum of roles; it was particularly good to see

managers owning their people and the recognition at the top of the organisation

that the performance of managers is crucial to the future success of the company.

“People are very committed to their work and feel recognised and valued for their

individual contributions.

“The budget for formal provision is considerably greater than for other similar

sized organisations and a comprehensive range of learning and development takes

place in the workplace. I was impressed with opportunities which exist for people

to develop their careers.

“There is a great desire to succeed within the company and it continues to be

innovative and forward thinking; people are very proud of what has been achieved

Investors in People

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over the last few years. I was impressed with the progress that the company has

made and the strength of evidence which exists to support the indictors of the

standard. The culture underpinning the Investors in People standard is firmly

embedded and the company demonstrates a great deal of good practice in the way

it manages its people.”

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Mindful Employer

During 2009/10 Enterprising

Opportunities CIC continued its work

as a Mindful Employer. Mindful

Employer is the work of a voluntary,

informal network of employers and

support organisations and is open to any employer in the UK, whether small,

medium or large, private, public or voluntary sector.

Led and supported by employers, the Mindful Employer initiative is aimed at

increasing awareness of mental health at work, providing support networks and

information, and making it healthier to talk about mental health. It aims to provide

support for businesses in recruiting and retaining valued and talented members of

staff.

By being a Mindful Employer Enterprising Opportunities CIC:

Shows that we are a good employer

Expresses corporate social responsibility

Reduces recruitment and training costs

Helps towards complying with legislation (e. g. DDA and HSE)

Reduces sickness levels

Enhances customer service

Improves productivity

Is more attractive to people with mental health issues and others

Helps retain staff who have experienced discrimination in the past

Makes for a healthier workplace

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Looking to the Future

With a great year behind us, we are

looking forward to the next few

years with further opportunities to

expand the business and provide

meaningful employment, work skills

and training opportunities.

In the next 12 months we will:

Extend support services in Marketing, HR, IT and Finance to other third sector

organisations.

Create a subsidiary known as Identity, a marketing design and communication

service specialising in new media such as social networking.

Personal Assistance - a service for people who privately employ carers, helping

them with contacts, disciplinary action etc.

Build new websites for Enterprising Opportunities CIC, Learn to … and All

Seasons and maximise search engine optimisation.

Continue to offer employment opportunities to people unemployed for six

months and on Job Seekers Allowance through the Future Jobs Fund.

Achievement of the Social Enterprise Mark identifying Enterprising Opportunities

as a business trading for social and environmental purposes.

Achievement of the Positive about Disabled logo identifying Enterprising

Opportunities as an employer committed to the employment, retention, training

and career development of disabled employees.

Further development of training courses outside of the Health and Social Care

sector including IT.

Continue to tender for contracts such as Routes into Work and Health and Well

Being.

Further developments, services and opportunities to work with us are available on

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For more information please contact:

Enterprising Opportunities CIC

Tel; 01227 8444 462

info@enterprisingopps. org. uk

www. enterprisingopps. org. uk

Learn to…

Tel; 01227 844 449

info@learntocare. com

www. learntocare. com

All Seasons

Tel; 01227 265 899

info@allseasons. org. uk

www. allseasons. org. uk

Kent Enterprise House

The Links

Herne Bay

Kent

CT6 7GQ

Fax; 01227 200 120

For more information please contact:

Enterprising Opportunities CIC is a registered

Community Interest Company (CIC) operating as a

social enterprise. Our objectives are to support,

promote and develop Kent based social enterprises

creating meaningful learning and employment

opportunities for disadvantaged groups particularly

in areas of deprivation and growth regeneration.

Tel: 01227 844 499

[email protected]

www.enterprisingopps.org.uk

All Seasons established in 1983 with the aim of

providing community care of the highest quality whilst

promoting choice, dignity and independence.

Tel: 01227 265 899

[email protected]

www.allseasons.org.uk

Learn to … aims to provide quality learning with the

individual at the heart of everything we do.

Tel: 01227 844 449

[email protected]

www.learnto.org.uk

Kent Enterprise House,

1 The Links,

Herne Bay

Kent.

CT6 7GQ

Fax: 01227 200 120

Documents

Enterprising opportunities 0910