social enterprise

Social enterprises are set to be back in demand to support the long term unemployed following George Osbourne’s announcement to scrap the Future Jobs Fund (FJF) scheme.

The Social Enterprise and Employment Development (SEED) Project is an Action for Blind People initiative set up to match blind and partially sighted people to social enterprises for paid placements throughout the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber and the West Midlands.

There are over 62,000 social enterprises in the UK, all of whom could benefit from this skilled and dedicated workforce. And in fact, increasing diversity within the workforce can strengthen reputation both internally and externally.

The SEED project, with £0.5 million of funding from the Big Lottery, provides six-month paid trainee placements and shorter term unpaid work placements to visually impaired people within social enterprises. Trainees and enterprises will be supported throughout the placements by the SEED team, with the loan of any adaptive equipment, support in creating development plans and increasing employability skills.

Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive of the Social Enterprise Coalition, in his blog entitled ‘Life after the Future Jobs Fund’ said: “I firmly believe that supported employment schemes like FJF are one of the most effective ways of addressing unemployment.”

Alistair Ponton, Managing Director of Viewpoint CIC, a Yorkshire based social enterprise, said: “The trainees we have had through the SEED Project have been enormously beneficial to Viewpoint. Their customer service and IT skills have pushed the boundaries of what services our business can offer and their attitude to helping Viewpoint succeed has reinvigorated our entire staff team.”

For more information about the Social Enterprise and Employment Development Project please call the team on 0113 386 2800, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk/seed-project.html.