CBE – The Boys Clubhouse Business Enterprise
One of the most difficult challenges we have faced is finding our clients sustainable employment. Often their problems or addictions are too severe for them to hold down regular employment and they could often end up in a debilitating spiral of dead-end jobs.
Our Business Enterprise Unit (CBE), piloted in November 2013, is a multi-dimensional project that provides the opportunity of training in employability and business acumen.
The CBE allows the boys to receive practical training in online selling, researching items, the packaging and the dispatch of the items, as well as a grounding in customer services.
Most importantly, our clients derive enormous satisfaction from running their own businesses as this gives them a sense of achievement and acts as a positive influence to combat the negative influences in their lives.
We have 9 of our clients currently engaged in this programme with many more wishing to join. We are always working on raising funds to enable us to expand this unit to offer this valuable opportunity to more of our clients.
The Enterprise is based around an e-shop in which we identify products that sell successfully using the eBay model. Goods are sourced from local businesses which help, by donating excess stock or by supplying them at minimal cost.
Current best sellers include bespoke, customised embroidered and printed items such as mugs, table mats, towels, baby bibs and sweatshirts.
In our first pilot trial lasting 6 months sales went well with over 4,000 items! A positive feedback score of 100% was established and has since been maintained.
FANCY A BIT OF SHOPPING ?
