Access to Business BRIDGES project is committed to tackling social isolation and digital exclusion. As such, we are involved with a number of great initiatives that provides I.C.T. that enables the local community to engage with, and access, essential services and develop digital skills. These are so crucial for economic growth, providing a gateway to jobs, progression, social inclusion and in the case of Access to Business BRIDGES participants, self-employment!

Our BRIDGES programme is very much about breaking down barriers to enable people to achieve their potential. We provide an individualised and broad approach to give those with multiple barriers, individually tailored support to meet their needs and our organisation has been handpicked to deliver the project based on our expertise in supporting people with disabilities, mental health issues, addictions, homelessness and financial issues, amongst other barriers. Our BRIDGES project has well established and productive relationships with the probation services that provides exciting and practical opportunities to ex-offenders who would otherwise be disenfranchised from society and opportunities for self-employment and employment.

Self-employment and small business ownership is becoming an increasingly popular route to work for people with disabilities who want to use their skills and talents to create employment. It offers the opportunity to create a job and a way of working that fits with individual health needs and personal circumstances. In our experience it also suggest that such options may make self-employment particularly beneficial to people with more complex needs.

Self-employment can offer the chance to: