Social Enterprise Working to Uplift the Economic Status of Local Women

When riots swept across several British cities this summer, the local community of Manningham, Bradford remained quiet. This was in sharp contrast to 2001 when Manningham district was the scene of rioting. The community has moved on in the last ten years, and a part of the credit goes to Action for Business (ABL), a successful social enterprise in the district.

ABL has engaged the local community, particularly women, to bring a positive change to the lives of underprivileged families. Its collaborative approach is helping to improve the health and safety of women, while providing training and jobs for them locally. Jenny Pupius, the chief executive of ABL says, "The population of Manningham is still very disadvantaged, in terms of income, employment, educational attainment and health. But we have come a long way."

ABL was established in the shadow of the riots of 1995. It set up the Carlisle Business Center as a social entrepreneurship project, which currently houses 60 small businesses and community groups. Its mission is to promote social cohesion and economic development by using the profits generated by its business center to finance community initiatives. It includes initiatives to uplift the health and well-being as well as the economic status of local women.

ABL's community team manages a wide range of interesting, informative and educational programs. Programs range from basic vocational training such as craft work and sewing to IT training. The programs are interspersed with guidance in key areas such as nutrition and healthy lifestyles, family financial management, and career planning and preparation. Many of the community women who undergo these programs achieve more fulfilling jobs, volunteering work as well as a better family life.

ABL runs the Doulas project that supports expecting moms with guidance on health and nutrition, and encourage them to seek mainstream ante natal care. The program helps moms to feel less isolated, which reduces their risk of post natal depression. It helps to enhance the overall health of the mother and the baby. ABL's trained volunteers run this project with a mission to help reduce the high rates of infant mortality in the region.

As a social entrepreneur, Ms. Pupius says, "We need to make bigger profits to help combat the loss of public sector contracts. Government cuts have meant many interventions have been axed - enterprise, health and employability initiatives are particularly affected.''

Photo Credit: spekulator