Member Article

Conference attracting would-be disabled entrepreneurs

Dozens of disabled people from across the North East have signed up to take part in a conference this weekend which will help them turn their business ideas into reality. The Partnerships and Proposals event is being held on Saturday at Gateshead Civic Centre and will show disabled people that there is assistance available for those who want to become entrepreneurs.

The conference has been organised by North East social enterprise project Idea Tree, a scheme run by disabled people for disabled people. Idea Tree was set up two years ago by David Colley, who recognised the need for an organisation that was run by people who understood at first hand the requirements of disabled people wanting to get into employment.

Since then the Newcastle-based firm has worked with and for disabled people, focusing on sustainable ways to remove social and practical barriers around disability issues and to positively support those who want to start up their own business.

The Partnerships and Proposals event will bring together disabled people and disabled organisations to develop social enterprises, focusing on strategic networking and business planning skills.

Mr Colley said: “Unfortunately there is often an attitude that disabled people can’t set up in business instead of looking at it from the perspective of ‘what do they need in order for them to achieve their aim?’ This event will highlight all the help and support available and give disabled people the tools and hopefully the confidence to look at developing their own business ideas.”

Places still remain for disabled people to attend the event and anyone interested or wanting further information should contact marcia@ideatree.org.uk or call 0191 233 3873.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .