Leatherhead Start is embarking on a new and exciting social enterprise venture and we are looking for volunteers to join us in making it happen!

What is a Social Enterprise?  A  social enterprise is a business set up with the objective to tackle social problems, improve communities, improve people’s life chances and protect the environment.

This is what we hope to do.  We are creating a brand of pickles and chutneys to sell to local retail outlets in the Mole Valley area.  Our product range will include: Mango chutney, Courgette and Fennel Pickle, Red Onion Marmalade & Piccalilli.  The brand name will be ‘Inspire’ but this is still a work in progress.

Why are we doing it?  To offer an opportunity for our clients to develop their personal and professional skills, giving them a very practical way to find direction and purpose for their lives.

Who will it benefit?  We will recruit a Project Pickle Team from our pool of clients to make the business happen.  Depending on the uptake from our clients, we may also look at recruiting in partnership with outside organisations working to get people back into work.

How can I help?  The first task we need volunteers to help with is the actual cooking of our delicious products – and we have done test batches and they really are delicious!  The greatest challenge to the success of this project is also the fundamental reason for undertaking it: can the enterprise help to engage our clients to improve their personal circumstances?

In addition to being homeless and in transition, the majority of our clients struggle significantly with motivation and self-esteem issues.  So, having a reliable team of volunteers who can help to motivate the clients and keep the business going through the challenges, especially in the early days, will be essential.

Please click here for a more detailed description of the volunteer role.

I’m interested. What do I do now?  Kat Moore, our Learning Development Worker, is co-ordinating this project and manages our volunteers.  If you are able, please download our application form here, fill it in and email it to katherine@leatherheadstart.org

If you’d rather have a chat with Kat first, please give her a ring on 07542 780919.

Thank you for reading – please do get in touch if this sparks your interest!  To keep up-to-date with our journey, please visit our blog here: http://theprojectpicklestory.tumblr.com/