Let’s Get Started

ENTREPRENEURS with disabilities are being encouraged to Let’s Get Started as part of a new project.
It is aimed at helping entrepreneurs with disabilities to explore and plan a small business or micro-enterprise in their local area, with family and community support. 
Brothers of Charity Clare are leading the project but local organisations Clare Volunteer Centre, East Clare Community Co-op, Obair and EmployAbility Clare are also involved.  Sharon Meaney, manager of the Clare Volunteer Centre spoke about the impact Let’s Get Started could have around the county.
“This is a fantastic project which will have positive outcomes for everyone involved.  We have a fabulous corps of volunteers in County Clare with wide ranging skills, who very generously give their time and expertise. The support model that Let’s Get Started is using will provide rewarding volunteer roles and experiences, especially for people with business skills. I think their motto ‘ideas into action’ reflects the positive, action focused nature of the project.”
Let’s Get Started is funded by Genio Trust through their Supporting Young People funding stream, which will be used to support eight individuals with a disability to generate business ideas, develop a business plan and access supports and mentoring to get their microenterprise up and running.
As this is an action learning project, they want to learn from similar programmes around the world and share what they learn with others.
Dr Helen McQuillan, project leader, has researched some of the most successful social enterprises and micro-enterprises around the world and the types of supports needed for people interested in setting up their own business. The research also profiles entrepreneurs with disabilities and business ideas that could be replicated or adapted in Clare.
“Supported self employment and micro-enterprise for people with disabilities is a relatively new concept in Ireland, so County Clare is leading the way. We have had expressions of support from advocates and programmes around the world. We now need some local champions and support,” Dr McQuillan said.
Anyone interested in participating in the pilot phase can contact Helen McQuillan on helenmcquillan@clare.brothersofcharity or 087 9464341.