The benefits of the social enterprise environment

The list below, which is not exhaustive, shows that there are many reasons why learners with disabilities and long term health conditions flourish in a social enterprise environment.

• Learning is focused on personal progression, not just on gaining a qualification. People are encouraged to learn in a way which suits them best, at their own pace. Some may achieve an NVQ in a year, while others are using the social enterprise environment to enhance their independent living skills, taking choices over their daily lives and futures, which in the past they may not have.
• Learning in a social enterprise environment is learning within a work situation. Students at Burwell Community Print, for example, are taking formal qualifications ‘on the job’, while fulfilling the real print requirements of companies in the area. This practical experience is invaluable on their CVs.
• People may have memories of difficult school days, and dread the idea of formal classroom learning. We believe in learning by doing, so that our clients gain most of their skills while working as opposed to studying in the class room Our clients also enjoy the relationship between learners and staff which is very collegial and friendly.
• The environment within STEnG organisations is gentle and encouraging. The outside world of work can be daunting for those with disabilities, and employers can fail in adequately supporting them settle into new roles. Within STEnG organisations, staff understand individual needs, make reasonable adjustments, and provide an unthreatening environment in which learners can progress at their own speed.
• Learning while in a supported work situation can be useful for those who need to be taught the unwritten roles of the workplace. Adults with Aspergers Syndrome, for example, may need to be taught about team working, timekeeping, appropriate appearance, workplace hierarchy etc.
• For some of our learners with more profound disabilities, working within a STEnG organisation will be their only likely chance of employment as their support needs are high. In some organisations, those formally employed are paid for their work, receive pay slips and are involved in the organisational dynamics as other staff are.

Click here to see how to join a STEnG organisation project or course.