Social Firms UK

*The Permitted Work Guide has been updated to due to increases in the permitted work limits and is correct from October 2010*

Finding a job at the moment is hard enough and if you’re disabled or have a mental health problem it’s even more difficult. Making the leap from relying on benefits to getting a full time job is often simply unrealistic. But part-time work can help to build up skills, confidence and a work record to show to future employers. It also raises the self esteem that comes with earning a wage. However many disabled people who want work are trapped in an incredibly complex web of benefit rules and aren’t aware of what it’s possible to do.

New guidelines have been issued to the police to help increase the number of prosecutions for hate crimes against people with disabilities.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has pledged more support to disabled victims of hate crime after admitting that it needs to 'raise its game' over the issue in England and Wales.  Joanna Perry of the CPS's equality and diversity unit added 'we know that disabled people probably think enough is not being done in this area'.  In addition to the new guidelines, there has been more training for raised awareness.

Chief Constable Steve Otter, from the Association of Chief Police Officers stated: 'There's no doubt we can do more. It's very challenging- we have to make sure our officers are trained properly so they can identify disability and mental health issues.

Three girls from Bournemouth-based Avonbourne School visited wood@aldingbourne last week as their prize for winning a national competition.

Social Firms UK ran the competition as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week. Avonbourne’s winning idea was to create a leisure/community centre for disabled soldiers returning from conflict which the judges thought was: "…really original, timely and full of potential for turning into a Social Firm."

The prize for the Year 10 students was a visit to Social Firm Wood@aldingbourne which supports adults with learning disabilities into employment. Their range of services includes a collection service, recycled timber, seasonal logs, recycled wooden products, recycled chip fat as fuel and commissions.