Enterprise and Inclusion Model
Since 2002 CCI has developed one of the most innovative and successful social inclusion models in Scotland. We create outstanding opportunities for people experiencing social exclusion and significant disadvantage to participate in real work, making a tangible contribution to their communities.
One of the guiding principles of CCI is that no one should be defined in terms of their support needs, rather recognition should be given to their ability to contribute. In order to gauge how this contribution can best be developed, CCI's placement officers work closely with participants to undertake assessments, set targets and conduct on-going reviews. The participants work in small groups, on a range of landscaping, horticultural and woodworking contracts, often taking part alongside the customers directly, who are encouraged to get involved in order to share skills and experiences.
Each individual has a plan which aims to:
- Develop specific vocational skills
- Develop employability skills
- Improve fitness and wellbeing
- Develop social skills
- Increase self-confidence
- Create inclusion platforms
- Actively engage the participants with the community in which they live and work
The work completed helps to directly fund the project. However, the importance of this goes far beyond an issue of simply finance. Our participants play a direct role in the success of any particular programme; this sense of purpose is evident as people's work truly does matter. Part of the ethos of CCI is that all work should be completed to a commercial standard. This leads to an expectation that the work be completed effectively - a key motivator in developing real-world skills.
The development of these skills can directly influence a transition away from benefits and a move toward worthwhile employment - core government policies. However, CCI has never aimed to simply 'tick the boxes' of any governmental policy, instead focussing solely on being a person-led organisation, helping our participants to meet their goals. It is because of this very commitment that we have developed one of the strongest social inclusion models in the country; a model that has substantial impact on community integration.
We have had great success working alongside and developing partnerships with NHS Scotland, various social work teams, a large number of school and career / educational agencies as well as local and national voluntary organisations.