For an organisation which has performed a vital role for many years, Enterprise Works in Gipsy Lane doesn't exactly have a high profile.
Auriel Chandarana would like to see that change.
"We're open, we're here, come and visit!" she said.
The nature of the organisation, run by Swindon Borough Council, is as simple as it is life-changing.
Auriel, who has been in charge since April, said: "Enterprise Works is a timber and fencing supplier. We also make and provide sheds, planters, decking - anything with wood, basically - and they are all hand-made in our workshop.
"Enterprise Works, previously known as SEQOL, has been going since 1963, but as Enterprise Works since 1990. We've been running as a social Enterprise from the very beginning.
"We support people with disabilities back into employment. We are a Supported Employment employer. We support people with all disabilities. It can be physical or non-physical, visible or non-visible.
"Part of our workforce is from a Supported Employment background, and we support them. Our longest-serving person has been with us for 44 years. We support and develop and upskill people back into employment or just help them with general life skills."
There are currently seven Supported Employment staff, and over the years there have been hundreds.
Displayed on a wall inside the building is displayed a timeline showing key points in the organisation's history and some of the people who have been involved - some of whom are still involved today.
"We still have four people on that timeline through the years that are with us today; three who work within the workshop, one who is our business support and a further two who are working in our retail store on the shop floor.
"With our existing Supported Employment staff, in the beginning they were trained on how to do carpentry. At the moment we work with DWP very closely to make sure we can provide the support and access that they need.
"They are Enterprise Works employees and a part of the team. We work and support each equally.
"Supported employment is a personalised model for supporting people with disabilities to secure and retain paid employment.
"It's amazing. You can actually see the journey people have taken from thinking that they aren't supported, that there's no hope for them to get work or they can't go back into work because of their abilities. We can actually see the change in people knowing they have been given the opportunity.
"We have loyal staff - 44 years and still going is no joke! - but you can actually give them a space where they feel that they are part of a community. You can see that because they come into work every day, they learn new things, they support you, they support the team and basically work and earn a living so they can support themselves.
"I think, to an extent, they have also supported a lot of myth-busting for people who are not aware of what people with disabilities have and can do."
Auriel is originally from Zimbabwe, is of Greek heritage and has lived in Swindon for longer, as she puts it, than she hasn't.
"I lived in Greece for a little bit until I was about 18, and I decided I wanted to come to England. I went to college here, did my A-Levels, met my husband, so I've been here for a while!
"After doing my A-Levels I decided to go into work, and I worked at Barclays Bank. I went from doing the old traditional personal banking up to being a senior business manager, and I was there for 15 years.
"I then took a bit of a career break for my kids, and when I went back into work I started working at New College as a work experience/employer engagement co-ordinator. I supported teaching ESOL (English for Speakers for Other Languages), I helped embed the T-Level pilot programme, which then took me on to being employed by the council as a careers hub co-ordinator. This role was created to embed careers advice and engagement in schools."
Then, still with the council, Auriel became manager of the Building Bridges supported employment project.
"That gave me the opportunity to set up support into employment for 16-to-25-year-olds with the council with the support of managers and so forth.
"I also set up the Project Search, which is a final-year-of-training programme for young people with disabilities as a pathway to employment. The first cohort started in 2023 at Great Western Hospital and this year we've got two, one at Great Western and one at Swindon Borough Council.
"Which leads me on to being the Enterprise Works Manager!"
Auriel also leads the Tenant Academy, based at the Gipsy Lane location, which helps and supports tenants with life skills ranging from budgeting to healthy eating and many more.
All tradespeople and members of the public are welcome to come and find out more about the products the Enterprise Works team offer, and can do so via enterpriseworksswindon.co.uk
Auriel said: "What we offer is quality, it's handmade and it's done with a social value."
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