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Beyond the Boundaries
Published: 09/02/2017
天涯社区 Communities First has helped a local resident develop a social
enterprise which will provide work placements for young people with additional
needs.
Beyond the Boundaries, a Community Interest Company (CIC), is the brainchild of
Jill Smith who has, over the last 8 years, successfully developed and currently
manages a Hair and Beauty Salon 鈥淏eyond the Fringe鈥� in Mynnydd Isa.
Using her business expertise and skills she learnt while training to be a
teacher, Jill decided to develop a social enterprise for the benefit of young
people with additional needs and those with complex needs. Beyond the
Boundaries has been developed to create learning and developmental
opportunities for young adults with learning difficulties within 天涯社区.
Having successfully run a pilot scheme, Jill officially launched Beyond the
Boundaries recently at Llys Eleanor in Shotton, with Lewis Roberts, Jill鈥檚
nephew, her inspiration for developing Beyond the Boundaries, and Joanne
Liversage who was the first young person to benefit from the pilot scheme who
is cutting the ribbon.
Chairman of 天涯社区, Councillor Peter Curtis, said:
鈥淏eyond the Boundaries is an excellent example of the kind of social conscience
found in 天涯社区. Building on a successful business, Jill has developed
Beyond the Boundaries to become self-sustaining and move away from grant
funding within 12 months of opening.鈥�
Jill said:
鈥淚 feel passionate about providing support for young people living with complex
needs beyond the age of 25 and wanted to help. The young adults will be
supported to become a member of a team, will have specific roles and
responsibilities, operating a social enterprise hair and beauty salon. Their
contribution will always be acknowledged giving them a feeling of and pride of
being a part of a team. They will receive a salary which will give them not
only financial reward but also a sense of worth and achievement.鈥�
Jill has made a funding application to Third Sector ICF Grants which is aimed
at supporting people with learning disabilities (all ages) and children with
complex needs. She has also received help from 天涯社区鈥檚 Communities First
and 天涯社区鈥檚 Business Development team.
Jill continued:
鈥淭he help that I have received from Communities First and the Council has been
invaluable. They鈥檝e helped with business planning, financial planning, company
registration and moral support! Now that I have a fully-costed business plan,
I鈥檓 confident that the salon can become financially sustainable in the next 12
months.鈥�