Kisharon: Enterprising partnership
Kisharon's social enterprise assists traditional businesses in a non-traditional way, creating opportunities to enhance the talent, wellbeing and self-worth of people with learning disabilities, with vocational training and employment.
There are special times, before key festival celebrations, when young volunteers work alongside the people Kisharon supports, in preparation. Most notable was last Rosh Hashanah, when volunteers and people supported by Kisharon prepared their personalised honey campaign.
Charlotte Kaye, age 15, from Radlett was among the volunteers.
“I was delighted to be involved in the fulfilment process of this campaign,” she says.
“It made me realise how, being partnered with someone supported by Kisharon, we would be able to learn together and mentor each other. I learned that everyone has a talent and, working together, we brought out the best in each other.
“While my task was to make sure the fulfilment process for the honey ran smoothly, I was also taught how they make the most beautiful decorative Shabbat candles which are sold in Kisharon’s gift and homeware shop, Equal.”
Kisharon’s social enterprises offer great work experience for the people they support.
They also provide the community with interesting and varied ways to support Kisharon — through its Bike Shop; its Skills for Employment craft-making hub; Child’s Hill Library; the Equal shop and the established Kisharon Design and Print Studio.
The most rewarding aspect is bringing together people from different backgrounds who would never usually work together and this is so beneficial in our community today.
All profits made from the social enterprises go back into Kisharon’s training and employment programmes.
kisharon.org.uk
Adele Busse, 020 3209 1167
Registered charity 271519