Future Visions is a two-year project run by Action for Blind People offering employment and self employment advice and support for 250 blind and partially sighted people in London, funded by the London Development Agency (LDA). The project complements Action's 'Enterprise in Sight' project (start-up and business development support), by providing a first stepping stone into self employment.
Clients receive a 26-week programme of support in the way of an individual action plan, and a bespoke package of personal development. This includes information, advice, guidance and training to introduce clients to the concept of self-employment, and progress them to a stage of readiness to start their own business. Specific support includes help with business planning, cash flow, funding, market research, SWOT, PEST and survival budgets. Clients seeking employment support receive help with writing CV's, mock interviews, job search, work placement and mentoring.
Future Visions also funds three day induction courses on JAWS and Supernova, specialist software for visually impaired people, enabling them to use a computer working through speech and magnification. The project works in partnership with Business Link London to offer free specialist workshops.
Clients we are currently supporting range from accountants and management consultants to a jazz singer who has set up her own record label and a catering company which has just won the first Olympic contract.
If you are interested in the Future Visions project, please contact Patricia Wilson on 020 7635 4983 or email her at patricia.wilson@actionforblindpeople.org.uk.