The mission of the WorkForward CIC social enterprise is:
“To make a difference in the lives of people with learning disabilities through creating real opportunities for work, training and volunteering.”
WorkForward has chosen four Strategic Priorities that will support our mission. Click here to view our Strategic Priorities and initiatives and Our Values. The social enterprise must strive to be real and sustainable through work that delivers quality product or service using the skills of all the staff and service users involved.
- Awareness – Provide awareness training to staff so they are sensitive to colleagues’ needs. Keep good links with agencies that refer service users be informed of any new policies or requirements.
- Equality – All employees, regardless of their situation and background, will have a contract of employment and earn the going rate, or at least the minimum wage.
- Staff Development – WorkForward will have a strong emphasis on training and development, including supervision and appraisals. Be ready to move people up the ladder if they’re ready and have ideas. Maintain links with other employers that service users could move on to if this is what they want.
- Have A Substitute Bench – To provide continuing high quality of service WorkForward will plan and have more than one staff member with a skill if someone is off for regular periods.
- Make It Enjoyable – Any good employer knows you get the best out of staff that enjoy their work. WorkForward management will be aware of what staff like – some don’t enjoy repetitive work; others prefer it.
It is important to understand that WorkForward CIC is not just an ordinary commercial business. WorkForward is a social enterprise and has been conceived to fulfil both social and commercial objectives. They can not be viewed separately nor as competing objectives and the achievement of both is significantly more challenging compared to just achieving a single objective.
Social Objectives
These include training and support of disabled people who aspire to gain qualifications and employment.
Commercial Objectives
The commercial objectives of the business are to achieve sales, with ample profit margins to ensure that the business is viable, and able to support our social aims. In addition we aim to develop the brand name and staff and system capacities which make it possible to operate the business in a sustainable way for the benefit of members of the public and service users.
Who Can Access This Service
The Herons Café may be of interest to you if you require the services of Adult Social Care Services. A referral is needed to access the work training. You can ask your social worker or Day Centre Manager for a referral. After a referral is received we contact you to arrange a ‘taster day’ to see if the café is suitable. A six week trial will then follow before we offer you a placement. Placements are up to 2 years after which you are expected to apply for a job with the help of our supported employment service. If you have a learning disability or you are a relative or a carer and would like more information about working in the café please contact us for more information
