Equal - Digital Repository

This programme is based in a converted Doctor's Surgery at West Cross in Smethwick. The programme has been helping local people gain skills that could offer them a chance of being self employed or set up a social enterprise. Subjects offered include: digital photography, hair and beauty treatments, health promotion and fitness, together with skills for life in English, numeracy and IT.

Learners who are interested in setting up a business then progress onto Enterprise Workshops which are complemented by training in book-keeping, financial management, staff management, team building, marketing, innovation and other training to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to start their own businesses.

The programme contacts local voluntary and community groups to provide information and advice about setting up as social entrepreneurs using an innovative DVD and toolkit 'Introducing Mrs Social Enterprise'. Many organisations want to generate income they can use to sustain their work, and a social enterprise can be the answer. The programme has been working with the organisations, investigating how they could develop their own businesses, testing their ideas and formulating a realistic plan.

BME groups, Jobseekers with low basic skills, Lone parents and people with care responsibilities, People from disadvantaged areas (top 10% most deprived wards), People with disabilities, Unemployed, Women