Member Article

Cleckheaton social enterprise wins £25k to enable growth

Stanley’s Training Project, a social enterprise based in Cleckheaton has just won a “Build It “ Award of £15k from UnLtd, a supporter of UK social entrepreneurs to enable the growth of the venture.

The brainchild of Sara Gill, Stanley’s Training Project is a social enterprise offers training and key life skills to people with learning difficulties and those that find it hard to access education, training or employment.

Sara and Stanley’s has received £10k in the form of funding from Kirklees Community Partnerships; Community Partnerships provide funding and development support to organisations which support people who have health and social care needs.

Sara set up the social enterprise two years ago and has been running the Project whilst also working nights as a nurse to fund the social enterprise and provide the cash it needed to keep going. The funding from UnLtd will now enable Sara to give up nursing and properly develop the business.

Sara says “I cannot believe that UnLtd picked me as a Star Person to receive the funding, I am so pleased. Now I can really grow Stanley’s and help more and more people find work and get some confidence. It really is good that there is support out there for social entrepreneurs like me.”

UnLtd run the Star People programme Big Local areas, one of which is Dewsbury Moor, the Star People programme is only one of the programmes of support that UnLtd offer to social entrepreneurs and those people who want to support social entrepreneurs across the UK.

Andy Hemming from UnLtd said “Sara is a great example of the kind of person UnLtd looks to support. She has a real passion for the people she works with and is establishing a solid track record for turning lives around. We give very few awards at this level annually, I’m really pleased that Sara has been successful, I wish Sara and Stanley’s project every success!”

Stanley’s is also supported by Making Space who provide access to volunteers, referrals and training support.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .