North London social enterprise 'a pioneer of Big Society', says Minister

Published by Hannah Wooderson for 24dash.com in Communities

The Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd (pictured), today visited King’s Cross to see how the social enterprise CLARITY is impacting on the lives of its employees, the local community and other businesses.

The Minister toured the factory where they manufacture soap, hand wash, toiletries, cleaning products and perfumes, and met with staff to discuses the benefits the social enterprise is having in the area.

CLARITY was established with the aim of creating employment for blind people and alongside their manufacturing they work with the charity and public sector to support blind and disabled people by offering them ‘Skills for Life’ training programmes, NVQs, literacy, numeracy and IT courses as well as full-time employment in their King’s Cross factory.

Nick Hurd, The Minister for Civil Society, said: “This is an extraordinary social enterprise which is making a real difference to this community.

“I have been particularly impressed to see how CLARITY is working with the charity and public sector to support blind and disabled people. Providing access to training and employment has empowered them to take control of their lives to make a positive contribution to society.

Organisations like this are a pioneer of the ‘Big Society’ and I would like to see many more organisations following in their footsteps. The Big Society is all about bringing together local people and communities to work together for the benefit of their area and to make a real difference to people’s lives.”

On his visit the Minister met with Jeremy Robinson, CEO of CLARITY and GWB Products Ltd, its trading company, and John Stutchfield, Business Development Manager and learnt about the organisation’s mission, history and business model. This was followed by a tour of the factory where Mr Hurd met with employees to discuss the benefits of working for the organisation and how CLARITY has helped them develop and feel part of the wider society.

Afterwards Mr Hurd met with some of CLARITY’s customers and partners; Richard Greenwood, Associate Director of Royal London Society for the Blind, David Newbold, Assistant Director of Action for Blind People, Gerry Walsh, Procurement Director of LOCOG and Robert McCafferty from Bunzl/Buwier, a hotel amenities supplier, to discuss partnership working with CLARITY from the perspective of a charity, a public sector organisation and private business.

CEO Jeremy Robinson who is also an executive member of BASE (British Association of Supported Employment) said: “We are delighted that the Minister could find time to visit us today, particularly so early in the new administration, and were impressed by the commitment to promote the role of social enterprises and charities within the new Big Society concept.

“Running a manufacturing organisation in central London isn’t easy so we are indebted to our customers who appreciate the wider social value in what we do. They wouldn’t place orders with us though if we weren’t first class in the products and service we provide!

“We are fully committed to our mission of providing employment for people with disabilities. However, by working with our partner organisations, we can provide many more opportunities for disabled people by acting as a “stepping stone” for them on their career journey”.