An initiative which helps disabled people set up their own businesses is celebrating helping more than 700 people start their own business ventures.
The Ready to Start programme, which is run by Leonard Cheshire Disability, helps disabled entrepreneurs through a package of mentoring and support as well as providing access to IT equipment.
The project was funded by £3m investment from Barclays. Out of the 1009 people who have taken part in the programme, 735 people have now started a business.
Linda Holland, the project’s national manager said: “In three years Ready to Start has proved an astounding success and played a vital role empowering disabled entrepreneurs to reach their full potential. We set ourselves a target of enabling 600 disabled people to begin a business so reaching the final total surpasses all expectations.
“Not only has Ready to Start enabled so many disabled people to start their own business, the initiative has also proved itself to be excellent value for money. The figures show Ready to Start has been both socially and economically a very valuable return on investment.”
Leonard Cheshire Disability also runs a number of other initiatives with the aim of helping disabled find employment or support a successful business. For more information visit www.LCDisability.org
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