Originally created in 1967, WALK had a number of social causes, including people with disabilities in the community, WALK’s services include everything from providing job coaching to implementing supported employment for their user base amongst corporate companies in Ireland. WALK works with educational services, government services, other social enterprises and for-profit companies to make the Irish job market more accommodating for their user base and reduce the barriers to entry for people with disabilities.
One way WALK does this is through their social enterprise Green Kitchen Cafe and Garden Shop. The Green Kitchen opened its doors for business in September 2014. It provides wonderful fresh produce and coffee served daily. The café also provides training and employment opportunities for people interested in pursuing a career in the catering industry.
I interviewed their Deputy CEO Catherine Kelly to find out more
How did the company begin? What’s its origin story?
The Origin of WALK:
Walkinstown Association for People with an Intellectual Disability (WALK) was established in 1967. At the beginning it provided a small day/recreational service for people with intellectual disabilities.
The origin of its subsidiary, Walkinstown Green Social Enterprises Ltd (WGSE ltd):
Joe Mason WALK’s CEO spoke with Dublin City Council about developing a social enterprise employing people with intellectual disabilities in the heart of the community. Dublin City Council had a derelict site that had become an area where there were high levels of anti-social behaviour and reclaiming this piece of land for the development of a social enterprise that is in and of the community appeared like a win/win situation.
To someone who may not be aware of the company, what does WALK do now?
WALK are leaders in a movement for change, empowering people with disabilities to live self-determined lives in an equal and inclusive society.
WALK is a section 39 community-based provider of supports for people with intellectual disability. Based in Dublin and our main supports are in the areas of living accommodation, supported transition employment, career development, education and training.
WGSE Ltd is a subsidiary of WALK. It operates a café, garden shop, and meeting rooms Through Walkinstown Green Social Enterprises Limited (WGSEL). It aims to be a self-sustaining social enterprise that fulfils a social need within our community, while creating education, employment and training opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities, autism and other barriers to employment.
Has this changed since the beginning of the company?
WALK was established in 1967 and at the beginning it provided a small day/recreational service for people with intellectual disabilities. It has grown over the years and now has both day supports across 17 locations and supported living arrangements across a number of locations also.
WGSE Ltd is operating since 2014.
Why was the company started as a social enterprise rather than a for profit business?
WALK’s aim is to empower people with an intellectual disability and / or autism to achieve their full employment potential. To do this we require to break even. The Social Enterprise model was chosen as any profits made are invested back into the social enterprise to fulfil that aim.
How does this impact on getting funding for the company?
Within WALK our Supported Employment programme is fully aligned with the aims and objectives of the Government’s Comprehensive Employment Strategy for people with disabilities. This is important in terms of having to regularly apply for funding to retain professional Job Coaches who are key to supporting people, who otherwise are perpetually unemployed, to realise their employment ambitions in life.
It is easier to attract funding from public bodies if operating a non-profit, social enterprise type model.
What tips would you give a new social enterprise for applying for funding?
WGSE Ltd is a WISE – work inclusion social enterprise. This is our ‘why’ and that keeps us on mission. So, for any new social enterprise, the ‘why’ is key. Without that, there is a high risk of mission drift, chasing funding to exist, rather than focusing on the original need for setting up in the first place
Other tips:
(i) Be able to show good governance structures are in place. You could consider registering as a charity. Although WGSE Ltd is not registered as a charity itself it is a subsidiary of WALK which is a charity.
(ii) Keep and eye out for the launch of Pobal Programmes which are funded by a number of government departments and the Dormant Accounts Fund. Some of these may be applicable.
(iii) Watch out for other Government funded programmes not facilitated by Pobal.
(iv) Keep in contact with local Councils and community groups. Various city and county councils have different partnerships who may be able to support you.
(v) National lottery money.
(vi) Larger corporates may have money or supports to non – profit community organisations.
Can you expand on your training, employment and community development programmes that you provide? Do you have any success stories from these programmes?
The Pobal CSP Programme supports WGSE Ltd with CSP staff from the target group of people with a disability and/or people who are long-term unemployed and most distanced from the labour market. Using the ‘Supported Employment’ model, CSP funded staff are supported to progress their career through training and valuable experience of paid employment.
The Pobal Dormant Account fund supports the WGSE REAL Ability Project. This is a ‘Supported Employment’ model, supporting adults in Disability Services to gain and sustain employment in the open labour market. As part of that process WGSE employs the employment professionals (Job Coaches, Employability Skills Trainers & Vocational Skills Trainers) to work in collaboration with the participants on the programme, their support workers, families and employers to help them ‘Realise their Employment Ambitions in Life’ (REAL).
What other companies do WALK work with to achieve the company’s mission?
There are too many to mention but we successfully work with companies in the public, civil and private sector for pre-employment and employment programmes.
What impact did the pandemic have on WALK’s services? Are there any benefits that WALK has taken and implemented since restriction has been made?
WGSE Ltd provided and delivered dinners to vulnerable people within our community and families of frontline workers and so we never shut our doors. This created a great community spirit that has continued and the new customers that we gained have stayed with us.
WALK has a number of volunteers that assist with your programmes. Can you explain what these volunteers do and if someone wanted to become a volunteer, what should they do?
We have had volunteers that worked in our café and garden shop and have helped with marketing and social media. If anyone is interested in volunteering they can pop into The Green Kitchen and ask for Brian or email him brian.kellard@walk.ie
What awards, press or recognition have WALK had in recent years?
We have won numerous gardening awards from Dublin City Council. WGSE Ltd has just recently featured in the Irish times. We are always in The Echo. We featured on TV on Renovation Nation, and recently on Dylan McGraths Secret Service.
Apart from those WALK works with, are there any other companies, people or organisations in Diversity and Inclusion in Ireland that you are a fan of?
WALK has worked with so many great organisations and has met so many inspiring people along our journey. Organisations whose culture is truly underpinned by diversity and inclusion always win our hearts.