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To develop an inclusive art and commercial design social enterprise involving members and volunteers recovering from mental ill health. The enterprise will be soundly based on existing artistic activities which will be interlinked in a holistic model to provide members and volunteers with opportunities to: • gain social and creative skills, • build towards career opportunities, • help run the social enterprise, • link to other groups, organisations, and social enterprises, and • become increasingly more socially integrated in the local community.
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The social enterprise will include some activities which are new, and some which are already well established, including: • A graphic design service • A new web site design service • A new Internet café • A gallery & shop • Community outreach projects, partnerships and commissions More time and resources will be devoted to establishing individual pathways for personal development, including one to one I.T training for beginners. Arc will work with other community groups and social enterprises in partnership projects, commissions and exhibitions; and offer services and facilities for hire. Arc will develop outreach projects to work with asylum seekers and black and minority ethnic groups. Each of these communities have there own mental health and social issues that need addressing in ways that may be different from others, and new projects will evolve in response to these varied needs. Arc will provide a range of structured opportunities to build the confidence and self-esteem members and volunteers need to enhance recovery, and gain new skills leading to wider career choices and opportunities. Members will become directly involved in the practical development of facilities and services leading to greater ownership of Arc. Stronger connections between Arc and the local community will be made and creative partnerships with other organisations formed. This will help service users feel socially included. We will develop a mainstream community network of other groups and social enterprises who will work with Arc in partnership projects, commissions and exhibitions; hire services and facilities. Arc will build an economically sustainable social enterprise, by means of a diverse portfolio of activities which will grow in response to commercial opportunities. Arc will provide high quality exhibitions, commissions, products and services which will celebrate the achievements and promote positive images of mental health service users. Arc will generate economic activity amongst service users and the general public and any profits made will be used to expand Arc’s services and membership still further.