All about Paperworks
Paperworks is a Social Enterprise, this just means we are a business primarily aimed at delivering a social benefit, but rely on trading income for financial support.
Our main aim is to provide work preparation training and support to adults with learning, physical and mental health related disabilities. This includes basic work skills such as team working, following instruction, quality control etc. Plus, instruction in health and safety, manual handling and other specific skills vital in the workplace. We can also support trainees (and their employer) in work placements within other organisations. To find out more about our training services click here.
Our method of providing this training is based around the whole organisation very much functioning as a business and treating trainees in a similar way to employees.
The basis for our business is loosely based around print finishing, e.g. copying, folding, bookletting, laminating etc. We have also developed services building on these such as mailing services, stock holding, pick pack and despatch, and assembly of items such as information packs and customer product ready for despatch. To find out more about our business services click here.
We like to think that the service we really offer is saving our customers time and money doing the basic jobs they can’t or don’t want to do themselves.
Through all of the things we do we try to balance the social and enterprise aspects of what we do, ensuring we create a pleasant working environment with plenty of variety and challenges. If we can manage this it builds the experience and confidence our trainees need to help them towards work and contributes to the enjoyable experience of work that motivates them. It also makes Paperworks a great place to work
The Paperworks Story
Paperworks was incorporated in February 1994 as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. Its aim - to allow people with learning disabilities a chance of gaining the skills to work in any vocational area. We would use our range of print finishing services to provide the environment for this to happen.
Soon, premises, two members of staff, funding from Social Services and the Training & Enterprise Council and print finishing business contacts were in place to start the business.
For the first year six trainees were chosen to attend full-time. Each trainee, with support, set themselves a training program and their path to paid or unpaid work. By the end of the first year four of the six trainees had gained experience of work, or were moving on into employment. From the second year we provided part-time places to assess people’s readiness for work. We also had the opportunity via JobCentre Plus to work with people with physical disabilities and mental health problems. This relationship continues today; Paperworks is the locality’s JobCentre Plus Work Prep programme provider.
Paperworks became a registered charity in 2000. Going from strength to strength, we have relocated twice since beginning. Our most recent move, into fully refurbished, fully accessible accommodation happened in October 2003. Our staff team has grown; we have a growing income from our print finishing work and a valued team of volunteers to help us in our work. Most importantly, we have regular attendance of 5 to 8 trainees a day.Paperworks now provides part time training, based around the individuals abilities for as long as it is appropriate. We recognise also that for some trainees we have become their place of work, whilst for others we are a bridge into the wider world of work, as illustrated by our logo.
We continue to give people the opportunity to maximize their potential and demonstrate their independence. We are continually developing our business to sustain the environment for this to happen.
Paperworks now employs 8 staff, and provides a wide range of commercial services including, mailing services, pick, pack and despatch work as well as print and print finishing. Not only do these services provide income it also provides the training opportunities we rely on and demonstrates the value our trainees offer.
