Two friends from Lancashire have set up a new company that will support people with disabilities, with the help of the Pennine LEAP start up programme.
Lucy Hamlin and Rachael McHugh will run Spring Into Action (SIA), a new social enterprise that will provide social, sport, learning and employment opportunities to people with physical or learning disabilities in Lancashire, and will also provide support to families and carers. SIA is set to start a pilot project that will deliver healthy lifestyle programmes over the coming months.
Rachael and Lucy are no strangers to working with vulnerable people, and already work for a project in Hyndburn and Ribble Valley that provides targeted services for young people with learning disabilities. The pair developed their business plan while attending free Pennine LEAP business Boot Camps, which are delivered by Regenerate Pennine Lancashire and partners Enterprise4All and Winning Pitch. They also received free social enterprise coaching through SELNET.
Rachael said: “The project we currently work for, SNAP (Special Needs Activity Programme), is available for people aged 13 to 25. We noticed there was a gap in the market for people outside that age range and so set up Spring. We completed the four week Boot Camp and this helped us develop our business plan. Lots of courses look at case studies, but this was all about looking at our own business.”
Both are parents, and know that running their own business will help them balance their work and home lives.
Lucy said “It’s good to do something we are 100% behind with our own vision and objectives. Not being restricted by an employer will allow flexible working around school hours and we can also work evenings together as our children are happy entertaining each other.”
Rona McFall, Enterprise and Employment Manager at Regenerate, said: “The
Pennine LEAP Boot Camps provide people with the essential knowledge needed to run a business, covering areas such as marketing, sales, marketing, finance and HR.”
