Business for the greater good
Social entrepreneurs are unreasonable people. They are the mavericks who refuse to accept the status quo. They look at the world, are dissatisfied with what they see, and resolve to change it. They are both dreamers and doers; imagining a brighter future and setting about making that dream into a reality. They are true entrepreneurs; innovators who are passionate and resourceful, who are prepared to take risks and who apply their energy, drive and ambition to effecting social change.
WINSENT, a new project part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, based in Athy is providing free assistance, guidance and a range of supports to any social entrepreneur or enterprise based in Kildare.
Aisling Duffy, WINSENT project development office for Kildare, explains. “We offer a mentoring role which would include assistance with feasibility studies, business planning, funding applications, board of directors training, staffing and advice. It is also a networking opportuinity. We aim to find the social entrepreneusrs to harness their skills and knowldge and let others benefit from them.”
This free service is now available to social entrepreneurs in Kildare. “We are here to support and assist,” she adds.
Winner of the Kildare Entreprenuerial Awards 2011 and shortlisted for Social Entrepreneurs Ireland 2011, Karen Leigh is no stranger to WINSENT.
Sensational Kids is a social enterprise set up to provide affordable therapy services for children of all abilities.
“WINSENT found me. I didn’t realise Sensational Kids was a social enterprise until then. We are now a client. They give free advice, mentoring. I am the founder and CEO of Sensational Kids and we would be in frequent contact with WINSENT,” Ms Leigh said. She also availed of a two-day workshop from a top American consultant that she found invaluable.
“Social enterpirse is not a traditional chairty. It’s innovative. We don’t depend on donations or government funding. We run a business to fund our service and to address a social problem. We are self-funding.” Currently it employs 12 people, a combination of healthcare professionals, occupatrional, admin and retail.
In terms of the ongoing recession, Ms Leigh said the client base of children is increasing all the time. “It’s hard for parents, parents who don’t have the funds and can’t afford our service or the subsidised service, which is sad. We do our best for these families, as much as we can.”
“I love my job. I’d never go back. You need to have passion to be a social entrepreneur. You are doing it for the goodness of the community, that is Karen Leigh, Sensational Kids. Aisling Duffy, Winsent. Story Lisa Deeney, Photo. Jimmy Fullam. what drives you. We are not driven by profit, we are driven by providing a social affordable therapy service for children, that is our bottom line.”
WINSENT, based in the Athy Community Enterprise Centre, is actively looking for social enterprise clients to support. They can be contacted on 087 6522422.
