Community
Community Involvement
The project is incorporated as a Social Enterprise and a Community Interest Company (1).
The Abbot’s Mill Project involves all sections of the local community and will re-invest any surplus back into the local community.
The project will provide volunteering and employment opportunities to local people, including people from groups who are disadvantaged in the labour market, such as people with learning difficulties, older people, people with mental health problems, people who misuse substances, homeless people, young people in care and care-leavers and ex-offenders.
We aim to employ people from within the local community (i.e. Canterbury) as far as possible. We will offer opportunities to people who are disadvantaged in the labour market – especially people with learning difficulties/disabilities. It is estimated that only 7.5% of adults with learning difficulties/disabilities known to Social Services Departments are in employment and the majority of those are working 4 hours/week or less (2). We know that 65% of people with learning disabilities would like a paid job (3).
We also aim to use local (within Kent) contractors and suppliers wherever possible throughout the build and once the project is up and running.
If you would like to get involved in any way please contact us at:
by e-mail
telephone: 07912 087599 (Jo Kidd) or 07968 810638 (Terry Thompson).
Many thanks for your support.
References
(1) A social enterprise is a business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses or profits are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or community, rather than being used to maximise private profit or gain (such as paying dividends to directors or share-holders). The activities of a Community Interest Company are carried on for the benefit of the community.
(2) PSA 16 Data – 2008-9, National Indicator 146. In Kent this is 9.5% of adults with learning difficulties/disabilities known to Kent Adult Social Services. 3.4% of adults in contact with secondary mental health services are in employment.
(3) Adults with Learning Difficulties in England 2003/4, Eric Emerson (2005).
