A social enterprise which aims to support a hidden community of adults with disabilities is being launched in North Staffordshire.
Reaching (North Staffs), a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, will look to improve the quality of life of people who would otherwise miss out on support services.
Based in Hanley, and helped by local business people, it will develop the work of Reaching Out at Number 11, a two-year outreach project backed by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
With funding coming to an end for that project, staff decided to set up on their own and widen the initiative to provide much-needed support service elements.
The aim is to supply at-home and community support to people who are not able to travel to access building-based resources.
At the helm of the business is Chief Executive Officer Georgina Salt, who like one other member of the six-strong company is disabled herself.
She said: “Our aim is to reach out to that hidden community that would ordinarily not have support services and to be able to improve their wellbeing and living standards.”
Directors of the Company alongside Georgina are Louise Griffin, Steelite International Group Human Resources Director; Jacqueline Stait, Steelite International Commercial Supply Chain Director and Darren Willett, Operations Manager, Parcelforce Worldwide.
A further two paid-for services are offered to help with everyday living (Reaching Extra) and support people with hoarding issues (Recovering Homes).
Reaching’s four programmes will combat isolation, promote connectedness, and improve living standards via empowering compassionate relationships:
Stepping Out – free outreach support
Stepping Up – free finance and housing support
Stepping In – free group support in community locations
Stepping Together – pay-as-you-go support with everyday tasks for people with enduring needs including disability and mental illness
The launch event takes place at Longrest Gaming Cafe in Cheapside, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, on Monday 3 April between 11.00am and 2.00pm, with Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council Gill Burnett in attendance.
Reaching (North Staffs), which will cover Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire Moorlands, has some funding from Sports England and the National Lottery but is also engaged in a number of fundraising initiatives.
The justgiving page for Reaching’s Snowdon climb fundraiser can be accessed here
Anyone wishing to support with funding, or to go onto the volunteers’ rota, should email [email protected]
