It’s a remarkable journey that began in April 2022 and spanned two years. Over that time, Community Catalysts, in partnership with Devon County Council, has established a vibrant network of 50 community micro-enterprises offering care and support to local people.
As we reflect on this journey, we are excited to announce that moving forward, the leadership of this initiative will move to a local organisation, Disability Focus, which is known for its commitment to promoting independence through assisting people in managing their care arrangements.
Devon County Council, with its ongoing dedication to increasing care options for local people, will remain a vital partner in this endeavour. Meanwhile, Community Catalysts is set to continue contributing its expertise in the development of community micro-enterprises.
The two-year project has been led by local Catalyst Simon Tickner, who has now moved to Disability Focus. This move will ensure that the project will continue to benefit from his invaluable experience.
Over this period, we have engaged with over 250 local people interested in our programme. The initiative has led to the development of 50 micro-enterprises, all meeting the ‘Doing It Right Standards’. These enterprises have been providing close to 600 hours of care and support each week to 125 older people and people with disabilities.
The support provided by the community micro-enterprises helps people to have a good life. It ranges from personal care and companionship to practical and wellbeing support.
Through our comprehensive Development Programme, enterprise leaders gained insights into creating responsive, high-quality, and sustainable enterprises, focusing on legal compliance, risk management, and safeguarding. This initiative not only provides a valuable alternative to conventional care models, but also retains essential sector expertise.
As we move forward with Disability Focus, the project remains committed to strong partnerships, with its focus to fully integrate the community micro-enterprise offer into the framework of care and support delivery in Devon.