1. Presented by Christabell Amoakoh
The Highlife Centre
Presented by
Christabell Amoakoh

2. Breaking barriers, Improving lives, Developing Communities
Who we are
Our Mission
Breaking barriers, Improving lives, Developing Communities
Committed to addressing unemployment, disadvantage and inequality by developing and increasing the knowledge and skills of individuals who are at the margins of society, enabling those individuals to develop personally, increasing their chances to sustainable employment so that their quality of life is improved and are able to lead full and productive lives.

3. What we do
The Highlife Centre provides a platform enabling vulnerable and socially excluded people to turn their aspirations into reality; have a sense of belonging and to access the resources and skills to develop their career and quality of life.
Deliver targeted services aimed at removing barriers to work and improving an individual’s wellbeing. For example: employment and self-employment focused short courses, motivational activities and events or language courses.
Offer a wide range of skills and training opportunities to individuals and community/voluntary groups including Self-development workshops, Social Inclusion activities, Functional skills and Digital Inclusion courses.
Assess the skills and strengths of individuals and help them to develop action plans that will help them into sustainable employment.

4. What we do
Help people move into self-employment and set up their own businesses, through a range of activities including, Enterprise Qualifications, Business Skills Development and One to One Mentoring Support.
Deliver a structured work experience programme focusing on key business areas such as Marketing, Administration, Graphics & Web design, Social Media and Bookkeeping.
Provide office accommodation and administrative support services to new community groups and offer access to our computer suite and conference room facilities to the local community and training providers.
Health and Wellbeing within Black Minority Ethnic communities.

5. Who we support
Black & Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME): Unemployed, Low income families, Underemployed and Low Skilled.
Young People (18-30 years old): Specifically those who are NEET’s (Not in Employment, Education or Training), Unemployed graduates, Unemployed single parents.
Women: From disadvantaged backgrounds and residing in deprived communities.
New community groups

6. Who we support We support people from diverse backgrounds
60% of our client group are from Black African ethnic origin.
20% Caribbean
15% Asian
5% White

7. Services Business and Enterprise Support
Employment – Structured work experience and Volunteering
Raising Health Awareness
Tackling social isolation through Arts, Heritage and Culture
Community Development – Changing mindset

8. CW Business Support Programme Funded by European Regional Development Fund
A cohesive package of business support services, tailored to meet the growth dynamics of Coventry & Warwickshire SMEs.
Activities include support for new start-ups (including bespoke support for BAME, youth, student, technology-based, and social enterprises), in-depth support to address barriers to growth faced by SMEs (including addressing recruitment difficulties), and an investment fund providing grant finance.

9. CW Business Support Programme Funded by European Regional Development Fund
Highlife Centre’s focus is supporting BAME communities to use their creative skills and hobbies to start up in business.
Started in January 2016
Supported 47 people so far who have received business training and one to one support.
80% with significant barriers
11 businesses started i.e. 25% conversion rate in year one. Low due to barriers. Estimated increase to 50% in year 2 and 70% in year 3.

10. How culture fits into our work
Identification of barriers to improvement
Understanding entrenched behaviours
How barriers to improvement are linked cultural behaviours.
Using culture and heritage to improve lives and social integration.

11. Any questions Christabell Amoakoh 02476 550057 07704 638507