Welcome to the
latest newsletter for Ready to Start (RTS)! It’s been a hectic
and successful few months for us all. Since we launched ready to
start last year 716 people have joined the programme and 108
entrepreneurs are now successfully running their own businesses. 25
people have also felt empowered to start work, take up training or
begin voluntary work by the programme.
In June our new distance mentor service opened its virtual
doors, providing telephone, email and skype support to many of the
entrepreneurs on the programme. You’ll be able to learn more about
them and how the new service is working in the autumn edition of the
RTS newsletter.
We’re also hard at work on a revamp of the online forum. Due
to be launched in the autumn, it will have a new look and easier
access. Including regular contributions by guest business gurus and
experienced entrepreneurs, it should become an interesting and
lively place to go.
And, on top of that, we’ve moved offices, waved goodbye to
two staff members and welcomed nine new colleagues on board! |
New faces
Welcome to Elaine, Cherry, Kim, Jane and Stacey who form our
brand new distance mentoring service.
We’ve also welcomed Sarah Ryan, regional coordinator for the
North West, and Sam Eve, regional coordinator for the Central
Region, to the team. They’ve taken over the reins from Sarah
Mitchell and Beccy Clacy.
In addition, Annet Lukkien, former RTS volunteer coordinator,
has joined Ann Chaplin as a project assistant in London and South
region, while Terri Wilson is the new national project assistant.
|
Best foot
forward
With a background
in IT and business, Matt Dimbylow’s passion for sport led him to
complete a Sports Science degree. He had always been
entrepreneurial, so when he was diagnosed with Extra Pyramidal
Syndrome, or A-Typical Parkinsons Disease, an illness which
prevented a regular nine to five career, working for himself seemed
the best option.
Locally Matt had already identified lack of sporting
opportunities for his own 2 children. With a strong belief that
every child is unique, and that the experiences they have during
their early years strongly influence their future development, he
was determined to enrich children’s lives with physical activities.
His Sportitots Programme enables children to develop the
physical skills of agility, balance, and co-ordination and gain the
opportunity to explore, learn and develop. Running a team of highly
trained staff, Matt aims to broaden the interests of children
already participating in physical activities, and to reach children
who currently lack opportunities. He has successfully won contracts
with Pre-schools, Primary schools, Nurseries, and Education
Authorities in Manchester.
Matt’s dedication and hard work, both professionally and
personally, will be keeping him exceptionally busy this summer as he
has been picked to join the British football squad representing
Great Britain at the Paralympics in Beijing.
“If I had to decide which is harder, conditioning yourself
for the Paralympics or running your own business, I’d definitely say
running your own business - competing for your country is a dream!”
Matt invested a lot of his own money, and received additional
funding from Ready to Start for software and marketing. “I’d say
making a name for myself has been the biggest challenge. The best
advice I could give to someone thinking of starting a business is to
think carefully – it’s more than just a job, it’s a commitment. You
really have to love what you are doing.”
http://www.sportitots.com/
|
Digitally
inclusive
A highly skilled
and successful mechanic before becoming unwell late in 2005, Robert
Williams is now enjoying the challenge of developing and growing an
IT business in South Wales.
When his impairment prevented him from lifting, pulling and
pushing, required in former his trade, he began to think through his
options. From an early interest in computers he identified potential
for a business that serviced both domestic and commercial markets in
his area. He set about gaining Microsoft accreditation and gathering
all the information needed to get his business off the ground.
When he got in touch with Ready to Start – as a result of
seeing the Creature Discomforts advertisements on TV – he had a
fairly good idea of where he wanted to go with the business. RTS
were able to link him up with local business support agencies to
further develop his plan and provide some equipment necessary for
his business to start.
Vale IT Services provides a range of services from
installation, maintenance and repair of computers through to website
design. Through his own experience of disability, Robert appreciates
the importance of digital inclusion to disabled people and the
poverty that often comes with disability. He offers services at
discounted rates to disabled people to ensure that they are not
excluded from accessing IT.
Robert offers the following tips to any budding
entrepreneurs; ‘Check out whatever advice is given, do your homework
and preparation and be persistent.’
http://www.valeitservices.co.uk/
|
Business in
style
From a background
as a drag queen, Chris Davis always had a love for over the top
clothing. With his life and business partner Fiona Bucknor, he runs
a successful business, Wicked Waists, producing bespoke clothing.
The pair are working to position Wicked Waists as a leading provider
of haute couture, for the gothic and alternative market. They offer
a full design service and can make anything from a simple skirt or
blouse, to sexy black PVC dresses, to more extravagant creations;
the only limit is their client’s imagination.
In 1997, after a fifteen year career as a panel beater ended
when his employer dismissed him because of his deteriorating
eyesight, Chris decided to retrain. He did a degree course in
Fashion Design and Technology at UCCA in Kent where he met Fiona
(Fi).
Chris says: “When I started to lose my sight I was worried
that I would not be able to realise my ambition to set up my own
business. Ready to Start was brilliant because as well as being
supported to plan the development of my business, pilot ideas and
seek funding, I had a buddy to run my ideas past at every stage.”
Danny Reardon, Barclays Head of Community Relations for
London & Southern is Chris’ Barclays buddy. Danny said: “I had
some doubts that I wouldn’t be able to make a real difference to
Chris’ business but I need not have worried. Our meetings were
informal and genuinely fun and the mentoring relationship with Chris
has been a really interesting experience. I have increased my
awareness of the challenges faced by new businesses and learned a
lot.’’
Chris says: “My business is successfully moving forward. I am
taking regular orders at weekend markets and fairs and the shop on
e-bay is also trading well. I am currently preparing for a big
exhibition in September which will enable me to extend my market
internationally.”
http://www.wickedwaists.co.uk/
|
A toast from
the Caribbean
Entrepreneur Silma
Ramsaywack from Christchurch will raise a toast to Ready to Start
with her unique business venture, a vineyard in the Caribbean.
In 2003 she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia which is a
chronic condition with widespread pain and fatigue. As a lone mum
with a six year old son and two grown up children she suffered
constant exhaustion which made life a struggle while holding down a
full-time job as a teacher.
When Silma’s dad died part of his legacy was to leave his
daughter a plot of land on a hill overlooking Shoal Bay on the
island of Anguilla, where he grew up, together with a share in a
beach bar.
This generous gesture made Silma wonder if her newfound
inheritance would be an ideal spot to grow grapes and plant a
vineyard.
Support from Ready to Start means she has been able to learn
about the wine trade and grasp all the essential skills to run a
business.
Silma said: “If the criteria for obtaining a loan from a bank
were based on enthusiasm, determination, hard work and a belief in
your business, then I'd have no problem.
“Working with Johnny
Coleman, my RTS coordinator, and in particular, my business buddy
Jenny Green has helped me to stay focused. They provided me with a
computer with dragon speaks software, and they also paid for me to
attend an advanced wine course.”
To find out more visit; http://www.shoalbayvineyards.com/
|
Complimentary
enterprise
In 2002, whilst
working as a Senior Manager, Sandy Rowles faced secondary breast
cancer. The outlook was bleak. She gave up work to enjoy what time
she had left and look after herself. It was during this time that
Sandy discovered Reiki, an ancient Japanese healing therapy, as an
alternative way of helping herself.
“I found it so beneficial,” says Sandy. “I borrowed a book
about Reiki from one of my complementary therapists, and decided to
study First and Second Degree Reiki. I used it on myself and
practised on willing friends as part of each course – and I found I
really enjoyed it.”
As she used this inspirational, new-found technique more and
more, Sandy found herself led to enrol in a ‘Reiki Masters Course’
to further her knowledge. Sandy’s determination and positive
approach helped her to complete the course in July 2007 despite a
prolonged period of ill-health. “By the end of that year there were
times when I didn’t think I’d make it to Christmas,” says Sandy.
However, as her strength improved and the pain from her cancer
reduced, she decided she wanted to use her gift to help others.
Sandy set up ‘Heart to Heart Reiki’ in June 2008. “Ready to
Start was so helpful. It put me in touch with lots of useful
business information to help me get started. I was also given a
‘buddy’ from Barclays called Jid Islam to help support me. He’s
given me a lot of good advice. It just gives you encouragement when
you’re feeling a bit wobbly!”
Sandy is now registered with the UK Reiki Foundation and is
running Heart to Heart Reiki from her home in Bletchley, outside
Milton Keynes. She loves combining her passion for Reiki with being
her own boss.
http://www.heart-to-heart-reiki.org/
|
Cruising to
success
Tony Williams is an
experienced helmsman who launched his pleasure cruise business in
April 2008 after renovating his craft ‘The Captain’s Folly’. Tony,
who lives with osteoporosis where his skeleton is gradually
weakening, has two target markets - the general public and private
charter by appointment. He offers river trips on the Great Ouse from
Hartford Mill at Hartford Marina, Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Tony
has spotted a gap in the market and plans to expand his product
range by offering out of season wild life tours and fishing. He says
“By doing this we have the advantage of being able to offer all year
round boat trips to different segments of the public.”
Tony’s Barclays Business Buddy is Relationship Director,
James Lean. Now the physical and technical issues of preparing the
boat and meeting regulatory requirements are sorted out James is
encouraging Tony. “Tony needs to redouble his sales and marketing
efforts to make the most of the opportunities the summer brings.”
Tony has already enjoyed some success in this area. He says
“Type ‘river trips on the Great Ouse’ into Google or Yahoo search
engines and I’m the first business you see”. “I’m also pleased with
the way word of mouth is working for us - satisfied customers are
the best way of selling”
To make a booking call Tony on: landline: 01480 – 438640 or
mobile: 0775 774 0387.
http://www.thecaptainsfolly.co.uk/
|
Ready for the
Regional Final
Mary Lax from
Durham is one of the top 10 regional finalists in the Barclays
Trading Places after being nominated by her local Barclays business
manager. Mary joined Ready to Start 6 months ago, after retirement
on ill health grounds from the NHS. She wanted to start her own
business as a virtual assistant/secretary (doing varied office
tasks), as well as offering training on inter cultural
communications for public organisations.
Having been diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia, as well as
severe secondary post traumatic stress disorder, Mary felt that the
flexibility of starting her own business would enable her manage her
disability much better. She said, “Working from home definitely
assists me in controlling my own stress levels”.
Following support from the Ready to Start programme, Mary is
now putting her extensive skills and experience to good use. She has
subcontracted her services to the prison service for training and
has obtained her first office tasks with further possibilities in
the pipeline. Mary appreciates that obtaining training contracts can
usually take some time but is very optimistic about gaining further
business.
She said “I am amazed I have been chosen as one of
the 10 regional finalists. Going to the lunch and listening to
other's achievements is a prize in itself, and it is a stage I never
even dreamed I would get to.” She added, “Thanks to Ready to Start
and Barclays Awards my confidence and self esteem has tripled in
comparison to one year ago.”
Lax.mary@virgin.net
|
Enterprising
Creature Discomforts
Two Ready to Start entrepreneurs star in the new Creature
Discomforts animations, which aim to change people’s attitudes to
disability during a six week campaign, which launched on 9th July.
Adrian Carter is
the voice of Ozzy the Owl, talking about his experience of doing a
business course at Westminster University alongside running his
Caribbean catering business, called Carter’s Home Cooking. He said,
“I’m an entrepreneur… to the fullest. My aim is to be the Caribbean
equivalent of Nando’s! You’ve got to think big and you’ve got to do
it big.”
Chris Davis of
Chatham provides the voice of Callum the Chameleon, featured in two
animations. Chris, who runs Wicked Waists with his partner Fi
Bucknor, featured earlier in this newsletter, said, “My employer
dismissed me in 1997 when my eyesight started to deteriorate. He
felt I would no longer be able to do the work. In the ad I was
talking about the fact I can still do things as well as, or
sometimes better than, people who can see.”
Behind Cath the Cat
is Debbie Reynolds from Blackburn, who was a Barclays Trading Places
finalist. She said, “Life changed for me in 2003 when I became
involved with the deaf community. Before that I had always hidden
the fact I was hard of hearing as I didn’t want people to think I
was different. I trained as an interpreter and now own a business,
The School of Sign Language.”
|
Change of
address
Leonard Cheshire Head Office has moved! Our new address is:
66 South Lambeth Road
London
SW8 1 RL
Our Ready to Start phone number remains the same on 08456
717173 or you can call the main switchboard on 020 3242 0200
|
How to contact
us
Linda Holland
National Project Manager
Linda.Holland@LCDisability.org
07738 033083
Terri Wilson
National Project Assistant
Terri.Wilson@LCDisability.org
07500 443731
Ann Chaplin
Regional Coordinator for
London and Kent
Ann.Chaplin@LCDisability.org
07738 033 098
Samantha Eve
Regional Coordinator for
Central Region
Sam.Eve@LCDisability.org
07738 034 115
Johnny Coleman
Regional Coordinator for
South West
Johnny.coleman@LCDisability.org
07738 328 997
Leonore Lord
Regional Coordinator for
Essex and Suffolk
Leonore.Lord@LCDisability.org
07738 329 508
Martin Moore
Regional Coordinator for
Wales and West
Martin.Moore@LCDisability.org
07738 328 998
Noel Jones
Regional Coordinator for East
Midlands and Peterborough
Noel.Jones@LCDisability.org
07738 033 989
Sarah Ryan
Regional Coordinator for
North West
Sarah.Ryan@LCDisability.org
07738 034 116
Vanessa Marshall
Regional Coordinator
for North East and Yorkshire
Vanessa.Marshall@LCDisability.org
07738 033 987
Alternatively you can call Innovative Projects at Leonard
Cheshire Disability on 08456 717173 or email Innovation@LCDisability.org
|
|
Leonard Cheshire Disability is a company limited by
guarantee, registered in England no: 552847,
and a registered
charity no: 218186 (England & Wales) and no: SCO05117
(Scotland). VAT no: 899322375. Registered office: 66 South Lambeth
Road, London, SW8 1RL.
To change your email preferences, or if you would prefer not
to receive any further emails from Leonard Cheshire Disability Click here.
[USERTRACK]
| |
!_files/thumbnail.gif "Ready to Start Newsletter - volume 3 Summer 2008")
!_files/thumbnail.jpg "Matt Dimbylow")
!_files/thumbnail(1).jpg "Robert Williams")
!_files/thumbnail(2).jpg "Chris Davis")
!_files/thumbnail(3).jpg "Silma Ramsaywack")
!_files/thumbnail(4).jpg "Sandy Rowles")
!_files/thumbnail(5).jpg "The Captain's Folly")
!_files/thumbnail(6).jpg "Mary Lax")
!_files/thumbnail(7).jpg "Ozzy the Owl")
!_files/thumbnail(8).jpg "Callum the Chameleon")
!_files/thumbnail(9).jpg "Cath the Cat")