Jericho social enterprises
Birthed by a church in Balsall Heath, Birmingham in 1993 and now partnering with many local churches, Jericho provides people with work and training in their social businesses and social projects.
Often the people they help just need a caring, supportive employer who will give them a chance to shine in work and in life. In some cases, the people they support have lived experience of homelessness, mental ill health, addiction, disability, modern slavery or the criminal justice system; in other cases they have struggled with the education system, experienced a difficult home life, or have low confidence and self-esteem.
They are breaking barriers, changing lives. In providing supported employment opportunities in businesses which offer great value goods and services to the local community, they have directly supported over 8,000 people to become fulfilled, skilled and employed. Around 80% of their income is generated through the social businesses that they run, the remainder coming from donations.
Their training programmes include apprenticeships, traineeships, a schools programme and specialist support for survivors of modern slavery. Their businesses include:
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Jericho Construction - providing a broad spectrum of commercial and domestic building services, including medium-sized new build and refurbishment projects, across the West Midlands
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Jericho Workspace - a friendly co-working and training venue in Birmingham. The Workspace provides more than just a physical space for businesses. It also offers the opportunity to be part of a community which promotes networking and sharing of knowledge.
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Jericho Cleaning - carrying out a range of cleaning services for businesses, charities, voluntary organisations, churches and community groups. They offer cost-effective contracts to suit client needs and staff are experienced, trustworthy and professionally trained in appropriate technologies, procedures and health and safety.
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The Wood Shack - reclaiming, reusing, and recycling wood. Their wood yard provides good quality reclaimed timber, furniture, and firewood to the public, local schools, and businesses. Meanwhile their collection service provides a cheap and sustainable alternative to skip hire and landfill. They also provide workshops for local schools and home-schooled groups.
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Miracle Laundry - providing a fast, affordable and professional laundry service 7 days a week from premises in Kings Heath, Birmingham. They offer self-service, service washing and drying as well as ironing and dry cleaning.
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ChangeKitchen - catering for corporate, private and celebratory events since 2010 and customers include Amey PLC, BAM Construct Ltd., Deloitte, E-On, PWC and many others.
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The ReUsers - rescuing, restoring and recycling second-hand items. The ethos is that “second-hand can be first choice” and they prevent around 250 tonnes of waste entering landfill every year by providing high-quality used-goods at cost-effective prices.
Everyone who joins one of their social projects gets the support they need to grow and develop, to overcome obstacles and create lasting change for a happier, more fulfilled future.
In addition, the social enterprises offer an excellent range of goods and services to the communities they serve with the added benefit of providing supported employment opportunities to local people who need them most. Shopping with them supports the creation of life-changing opportunities and changing lives through enterprise.
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Geoff Knott, 07/04/2021