Forth Sector’s core purpose is to provide supported employment to people with mental health problems through running business ventures. During the 2005-06 business year we’ve helped:
- 30 people back into mainstream employment
- 20 people into further education and training
- 3 people into a staff position with Forth Sector
“Forth Sector's central aim is to create work. It is through work that most of us find our way of contributing to the world we live in.”
Andy Hunter, Founder and Chair of Forth Sector
Originally called Edinburgh Community Trust, the organisation started in 1981, run and managed by a group of trustees who distributed small scale funding to innovative or ‘riskier’ projects that couldn’t access mainstream funds.
By 1990 Edinburgh Community Trust had evolved into a company delivering its own services. Its focus was to establish small businesses that could be self-financing while providing supportive employment opportunities for people with mental health problems.
Mental health is not appreciated by most of us and yet falling ill from it (eg: depression) affects 1 in 4 of us. Those people who suffer from severe mental health problems form the highest proportion of people on state benefits, yet many want to return to work. Why - because just like anyone else a valued job gives structure to their week, a social network and a sense of purpose.
An evaluation of the benefits of working in Forth Sector’s businesses reported:
- Increased self-confidence
- Improved concentration
- Ability to cope with and manage stress
- Reduced isolation and better relationships
- A sense of purpose and direction
- Renewed optimism regarding employment prospects
We aim to build on these successes to meet our key objectives of operating sustainable businesses while providing training and supported work opportunities for clients.
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