The Campus for Future Living in Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire is a new £8.6 million investment in clinical and medical training being developed by East Lindsey District Council .
Together with the National Centre for Rural Health and Care, and the Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service (LCVS), Community Catalysts are working on a creative and unique community micro-enterprise development project as part of this investment.
The project has been underway since January 2024 and is funded by Theddlethorpe GDF Community Partnership., East Lindsey Council and UKSPF. The partnership has led to some really positive outcomes for local people in the areas of Mablethorpe, Theddlethorpe, Sutton-on-Sea and Trusthorpe and beyond. It is helping older and disabled people to live a great life in their neighbourhood.
This project is led locally by Community Enterprise Development Officer, Anna Wilson, who is employed by LCVS and hosted within the Campus for Future Living. Community Catalysts support Anna in her role, bringing our well proven model and expertise in connecting with and mentoring local people: enabling them to establish sustainable community micro-care enterprises that offer care and support at home and an array of creative support in the local neighbourhood.
The approach brings new self-employment opportunities to an area that has low employment potential which is compounded by fluctuating seasonal work. It also keeps local money local, while increasing choice for people who need care by developing capacity within the sector. The programme contributes to community pride and cohesion.
The Campus offers a base for community micro-enterprises to network and access training, small start-up grants and support from Lincolnshire CVS, Community Catalysts and others. It also provides wider beneficial links for these local entrepreneurs to the organisations and professionals that also operate within the building.
Over an 18 -month period from January 2024 to August 2025, the Community Enterprise Development Officer has connected with nearly 400 people locally with an interest in finding out more.
95 people signed up to join the Development Programme and received support from Anna to explore ideas, skills and passions. Of those, 40 have successfully completed the programme, met the Community Catalysts Doing It Right Standards which shows a commitment to running good safe quality services and are actively operating in the region. These micro-enterprises are flourishing, so much so that they have developed 66 volunteering opportunities and 40 new jobs.
455 older and disabled people in the area are now making use of this new model of neighbourhood care, leading to more connected lives in their communities.
The enterprises offer varied types of care and support for local residents. They now have much more choice of local supports to help them live the life they want. Residents, families, social workers and social prescribers are all tapping into the options available. Things like: general support in the home including cleaning and gardening to personal care and cooking healthy meals. Entrepreneurs bring their own strengths to the table – there is a rich tapestry of rural spaces, such as farms, which are now helping older and disabled people to connect with them and their horses, llamas and sheep!
Rainbow Dreaming CIC organises and delivers therapy pony visits. Originally Jo mainly took her Shetland ponies into schools, but with support from the project has diversified and lights up the lives of people in care homes. They have made over 36 visits to care homes, providing new opportunities for two volunteers. The pony, Jo, won the BBC Lincolnshire Make a Difference animal award this in 2025!
Jessica’s Compassionate Care is a new enterprise offering a range of support services, including cleaning, dog walking, personal care, and more. Jessica has built a small but steady customer base and manages her work around family life as a single mum.
“This is the best thing I’ve done — not only for my family, the customers, and their families, but also for myself. I love being my own boss.”
Due to the success of the 18-month project, the work has been extended until March 2026, with funding from UKSPF. The support is now available in wider East Lindsey.
We are excited to bring opportunities for local people to release their entrepreneurial spirit and increase local care capacity into those areas.
Community Investment Funding to support this project was awarded to Community Catalysts by the Theddlethorpe GDF Community Partnership.
