Bay & Basin Community Resources

BCR Social Enterprises

BCR Social Enterprises

Social Enterprise creates clear pathways to employment by offering a structured yet flexible learning environment tailored to individual needs. Our project is designed to empower disadvantaged youth with support needs by providing them with sustainable employment opportunities. Through hands-on training in horticulture, landscaping, and maintenance services, participants gain practical skills that are directly applicable to ...

GOAL

$10,280

Australia > NSW > Regional
01/02/2025 > 22/01/2025

Field of Interest

  • Individual/family services and support

Target Population

  • People with a disability, illness or disease
  • People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage or vulnerability
Bay & Basin Community Resources Bay & Basin Community Resources

Bay & Basin Community Resources (BCR) is a longstanding not-for-profit organisation, that has been dedicated to serving the Shoalhaven and Illawarra region since 1991. With a strong record of leadership in Youth & Community Services and Disability supports, BCR aims to have a positive impact in the Bay & Basin region. Our Bay & Basin Community Radio station 92.7FM, situated within our Activities Hub, further underlines our robust community presence. Additionally, BCR is a leading provider of in-home aged care services across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, offering comprehensive programs and services such as the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), Home Care Packages (HCP), and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC).

BCR Communities Not-For-Profit have a project that focuses on empowering people on NDIS, disadvantaged youth with high support needs in the Bay & Basin region. Our goal is to involve them in a social enterprise garden and maintenance program. Through this program, we aim to provide practical training in horticulture, landscaping, and maintenance services, equipping the participants with essential skills for future employment opportunities. This initiative will create sustainable employment pathways, enhancing skill development, and promoting social inclusion. By building community connections and offering meaningful work, the project ensures that supported employment meets community expectations, including fair wages and provides greater choice and control over employment outcomes for youth with disabilities.

Project Summary

Social Enterprise creates clear pathways to employment by offering a structured yet flexible learning environment tailored to individual needs. Our project is designed to empower disadvantaged youth with support needs by providing them with sustainable employment opportunities. Through hands-on training in horticulture, landscaping, and maintenance services, participants gain practical skills that are directly applicable to the job market. This initiative provides essential tools for future employment, but also fosters social inclusion and community connection.

BCR will ensure that participants receive fair wages and have opportunities for career advancement. By integrating our program with local businesses and community groups, we aim to create a model of supported employment that is both innovative and sustainable, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and equitable workforce.

The program focuses on offering participants accredited certificates and practical experience aligned with industry standards. Activities include white card, operate machinery and equipment, control weeds, working at heights, and landscape construction.

BCR priorities hands-on, practical training that caters to the needs of participants with support requirements, while also providing accredited components aligned with industry.
We believe combining accredited training with practical experience is crucial, especially for individuals with disabilities. Research from the Australian Governments Department of Education, Skills, and Employment (DESE) highlights that practical, hands-on training significantly improves employment outcomes for people with disabilities.

Furthermore, through our other programs at BCR we actively engage participants in community-based projects to promote social inclusion and community engagement. This not only enhances their employability but also fosters a sense of belonging.

Project Outcomes

The expected outcome of our Social Enterprise project is to establish clear, supported pathways to sustainable employment for disadvantaged youth, including those with disabilities. By providing a structured yet flexible learning environment tailored to individual needs, the project aims to empower participants with the skills and confidence necessary for meaningful employment in horticulture, landscaping, and maintenance services.

We will know we have achieved our goals when participants successfully complete accredited certificates, gain practical experience, and secure employment within the industry. Success will also be measured by the participants' ability to earn fair wages, access career advancement opportunities, and experience improved social inclusion and community engagement. The integration of our program with local businesses and community groups will further validate our success by demonstrating the sustainability and effectiveness of our model.

Our emphasis on hands-on training, particularly for individuals with disabilities, is grounded in evidence from the Australian Government’s Department of Education, Skills, and Employment (DESE), which underscores the positive impact of practical training on employment outcomes. By offering both accredited training and real-world experience, we aim to not only enhance the employability of our participants but also contribute to a more inclusive and equitable workforce. Ultimately, this project seeks to foster a sense of belonging and purpose among participants, creating lasting positive change in their lives and within the broader community.

Budget Breakdown

TOTAL BUDGET: $10,280
FUNDING
Funding source Amount
Funding Gap (unconfirmed) $10,280
EXPENSES
Expense item Amount
Trimmer 525ILK Loop Combi T3 x 2 $1,215
Hedge Trimmer ATT Long HA860 Husqvarna x2 $867
PAX1100 Attachment x 2 $878
RA850 Reciprocator Attachment x 2 $798
Chainsaw T%421 XP X-Precision x2 $1,518
Husqvarna 520IHD60 Hedge Trimmer x 2 $1,278
BLI200X Battery 5.2amp High Current x 8 $2,042
QC500 Battery Charger x 2 $446
Blower 345BT 50cc Backpack x 2 $1,258

Support Bay & Basin Community Resources

Got a question about this organisation or ready to contribute? Contact us.

Add your organisation to the Funding Platform

Is your not-for-profit organisation seeking funding? Add your organisation to the Funding Platform or upload your funding needs for a project.

Contact Us
Level 6, 126 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Australian Communities Foundation is a proudly inclusive organisation and an ally of LGBTQIA+ communities and the movement toward equality.