Disabled Entreprenuers Project

The Disabled Entrepreneurs’ Project (DEP) is an eighteen month programme specifically designed to support pre-start disabled entrepreneurs.

The project is funded by Devon Renaissance, North Devon Leader+ and the district councils of North Devon, West Devon, Torridge and South Hams.

DEP’s key objectives will be to provide a bespoke business service, with relevant and accessible information and advice, which will encourage disabled entrepreneurs to realise their own personal and business potential.

This will include the following:

• How to set up, launch and promote your business successfully 

• Assistance with business planning

• Guidance from experienced advisors

• Training and on-going support 

Project Founder

In 2001, whilst working as an adviser/trainer, Andi was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. A combination of personal and professional interest fuelled a desire to find out whether Disabled Entrepreneurs found the existing support network adequate and how it could be improved.

The findings of an ensuing research project led to the conclusion that DE’s want advice and guidance from experienced advisors who are knowledgeable about business and disability issues. As a result of this research Andi decided to pilot the service by providing business advice to Disabled Entrepreneurs on a voluntary basis. Andi then - with the help of his new corporate partners (ESD) - started the process of securing funding and is now able to approach semi-retirement happy in the knowledge that he has established a bespoke advisory service for DE’s in the Objective 2 areas of Devon.

He looks forward to meeting some of the new DE’s and hopes that the project can be rolled out to other parts of the UK. He is going to help promote the project and plans to concentrate on his writing and has just had his first book ‘Working for Yourself’ published by Trotman

Area Eligibility

The project is available to all disabled entrepreneurs wishing to start their own business within the areas of North Devon, Torridge, West Devon and South Hams

South Hams and West Devon (Area 1)

For 12 months from 1 October 2006 the DE Project will be available to the disabled community within the South Hams and West Devon.

North Devon, Torridge (Area 2)

For 12 months from 1 April 2007 the DE Project will also become available to the disabled community within North Devon and Torridge.

Client Eligibility

Clients eligible for the DE Project are persons with a physical or mental impairment that has an adverse affect on their working life. Impairments can be physical, mental, sensory or hidden (such as learning difficulties, diabetes or epilepsy) and can impact on mobility; manual dexterity; physical co-ordination; continence; ability to lift, carry or move everyday objects; speech, hearing or eyesight; memory or ability to concentrate, learn or understand and understanding of the risk of physical danger.

How  to Register

You can register on the programme by contacting Jessica West  or simply downloading, completing and returning an enquiry form:

1) Enquiry Form

To ensure that we are working inline with Equal Opportunties, please download and read the following:                                  

1) Equal Opportunities Information Sheet

2) Equal Opportunities 10 Point Plan 

Once we have received your enquiry form our dedicated business advisors will contact us to arrange a 1:1 appointment to discuss your needs and provide their support and guidance.