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Past projects

Most of our projects have funding for a fixed period. Here is some information about some of the projects we have run in the past.

In Touch

Image from In Touch drama
Disabled people report that there is often a tendency for them to be thought of as ‘asexual’: that they do not have sexual feelings, desires or capabilities. Relevant sexual health information, advice and education for young disabled people still remains inappropriate and, often, inaccessible.

Leonard Cheshire Disability delivered In Touch, a three-year project to give disabled people greater and easier access to sexual health information, education and services. Young disabled people were closely involved in all aspects of the project, from sharing their views and experiences of sex, sex and relationship education, and sexual health services, through to taking part in workshops and helping to directly improve access to local sexual health services.

The project ended in 2010 but there are still useful resources available on the website at www.lcdintouch.org, including:
  • Training resource to support those working with young disabled people around their sexual health and wellbeing.
  • Five powerful drama pieces with suggestions for guided discussion, linked activities and further work, as well as other films about sex and relationships.
  • Interactive game for young disabled people to challenge themselves and see how much they know about sex and sexual health.

Yoodo Sports

Yoodo Sports was an inclusive buddy scheme aiming to get people active.

Funded by Sport England, with additional funding from Comic Relief, the project provided disabled people and people with long term health conditions the chance to link up with volunteer buddies to access sport and physical activity opportunities of their choice.

If you are still interested in finding an activity, a club, class or coach in your area, please check out spogo, the sport and fitness finder.

European Highway to Entrepreneurship

This was a partnership between seven organisations across Europe. Each worked with people from disadvantaged groups to support them to become independent from social welfare and to take a full part in society and their local community, through self-employment and enterprise.

The partners produced a manual, which condenses the experiences and findings of the project and includes tips for tutors/advisors and information for people who want to start up a business or tackle the European market.

Download the European Highway to Entrepreneurship manual (PDF).

Ready to Start

Chris - an RTS entrepreneur
The Ready to Start project ran from 2006-2009 and was a huge success: we supported 735 disabled people to set up a business and a further 274 progressed into employment, training or found the confidence to take on a volunteering role for the first time.

The project provided entrepreneurs with training, free adapted computer equipment and access to a Barclays ‘buddy’, who supported clients with their expertise in the start-up process. Regional coordinators and distance mentors motivated clients to move through an individual development path and linked them with appropriate local support and services.

Download Ready to Start's closing report (PDF) to find out more.

Enabled4Growth

Enabled4Growth (E4G) ran from 2009 to 2012 and helped businesses, led by disabled people in London, survive difficult trading conditions, improve their financial health, and prepare for and achieve business expansion.

As well as working directly with disabled-led businesses, E4G created a network of financial services and funds that recognise the value of working with disabled business leaders.

As funding has come to an end for E4G, business support may be available in London from the following organisations:

Entrepreneur success stories

Over the years, Leonard Cheshire Disability has been privileged to work with a wide range of determined and resourceful entrepreneurs who have gone forward to create dynamic and successful businesses, through the Ready to Start, Enabled4Growth and Be the Boss projects.

Leonard Cheshire Disability teamed up with the Royal British Legion to provide enterprise support to disabled veterans, through the Be the Boss programme. We provided support and advice on running a small business successfully to recent UK Service leavers. We offered guidance and mentoring in areas such as business planning, financial management and customer retention.

Please choose from the links below to read about the achievements of just some of the entrepreneurs who we have worked with.

Linda Edmonds - The Cookery Angel
Chris Davis - Wicked Waists
Matt Dimbylow - Sportitots
Maria Zedda - Wideaware
Adrian Carter - Carter's Caterers
Stephen Collins - Lazarus Mobility
Wendy Irwin - GODS
Roland Stow - Japauto-Speed UK
Lawrence Marazzi - Agility Motors
Darren Gregg - C.R.E.A.M Academy
Carol Laskey - Swindon Laser Clinic
Richard Berry - Y Knot
Tushar Patel - Oxygen IT
Karen Standen - Four Paws Aqua
Jeremy Freeman - Treeblocks
Sue Scott-Horne - Educational Games & Resources