This year they have launched their first business - Zinnia Garden Nursery - which will be opening on 2 March. It is located at Tripes Farm in Orpington. They will be offering volunteering opportunities, so check out their website here for updates.
In the current economic climate, social enterprises can provide services in a new way, through community volunteering - services that are being affected by cuts in public spending. Do you have an idea which needs support to get it off the ground and which will provide a new service for the local community?
What about a programme promoting education in schools covering mental health? There are a lot of misconceptions about mental illness, which covers a wide range of symptoms, from minor to very serious. With the correct medication, the majority of sufferers can live perfectly normal lives. However there is still a stigma associated with anyone who admits to suffering from mental illness, which can detrimentally affect their access to work. Often highly intelligent and useful members of society have mental health issues and yet make tremendous and worthwhile contributions in their working lives. It is time that there was a better understanding of mental health and more compassion towards those suffering from illnesses which affect the mind instead of the body. (See Bromley Mind website.)
The next Orpington Tweet Up will take place on 15 April at Harris HospisCare, Tregony Road, at 7pm. This would be an excellent opportunity for community spirited members of society to bring their ideas to a forum where other like-minded people may be able to offer expertise and support.