Centre for Better Health - Social Enterprise

Description

Who we are:

The Centre for Better Health is a community-based charity that supports well-being and recovery from mental ill-health. We recognise a healthy community is an inclusive community in which individuals can live satisfying and hopeful lives and where there is no stigma about mental ill health. 

What we do: Social Enterprises

We provide time limited trainee placements to adults recovering from mental ill health.

Placements aim to move people towards employment and are therapeutic and supportive in nature.

• Better Health Bikes
• Better Health Bakery
• Better Health Products Ltd (contact the centre for more information) 

These trainee placements consist of on the job training, peer-to-peer training, team work as well as informal learning.

The aim is for individuals to gain confidence and develop new skills when they are on their placement.

“It’s an amazing opportunity... People here are lovely, it’s a very nice environment to work in”

“I developed better concentration and could focus on taking instructions”

The placements have a person-centred focus and are designed to build up soft skills such as routine, motivation and socialization and can be seen as an initial step for people to engage in activities.

Once the placement ends we work with trainees to identify and secure next steps in:

• education
• voluntary work
• open employment

Employment is an important aspect of social inclusion; enables the development of valued social roles, contributes to increased self-confidence and self-esteem, develops a positive identity and supports recovery.

Placements take place at specific venues in Hackney.

Please contact the service for more information.

Better Health Bikes

Trainees on this enterprise learn skills in bike maintenance and repair. They will be working with bike stands upcycling donated bicycles under the guidance of a trained mechanic.

Better Health Bikes offer the public affordable bike servicing and sales, puncture repairs, free bike health checks and simple bike fitting. 

Better Health Bakery

The Better Health Bakery produces quality, handmade breads for the local community including cafés and restaurants. The bakery is a busy, supportive and dynamic environment with a team ethos.

The therapeutic craft of baking bread is both satisfying and gives a sense of achievement.

There are practical and technical skills developed, leading to possible employment routes in baking and catering or other training opportunities for trainees after their placement ends.

“II fully enjoyed my time at Better Health and would recommend it to someone else.” Trainee

“Working here is satisfying. Have a lot of laughs, chilled out environment, improve step by step. Keeping busy is good therapy.” Trainee

Better Health Products Ltd

Better Health Products Ltd is a leading provider of polyurethane products to the healthcare industry.

Placement are suitable for individuals with an interest in the manufacturing process. Most training takes place on the job and includes processing orders, production, dispatching and stock control. Theoretical training will include quality standards and health and safety.

This area offers technical skills to be developed through training in the manufacturing of polyurethane products. These products include protection covers, immobilisation & positioning cushions and vacuum casting bags.

The environment is quieter than the bakery and is more focused more on individual working with appropriate supervision.

What we’re looking for in potential Trainees

• Demonstrate enthusiasm and willingness to engage in activities

• Reasonable level of physical health to undertake manual work

• Commitment to attend at least 1 day per week for a shift that runs from10am till 5pm

• Ability to follow instructions and reasonable level of spoken English language

• For Better Health Bakery only: Able to maintain good personal hygiene in line with

food standards