Paperworks - Harrogate

 
"The integration of various departments and sharing
information between people is one of our top priorities".
 

As a social enterprise Paperworks' primary aim is to provide training for adults who have health related barriers, such as learning disabilities, to assist them in returning to or gaining employment.

This includes the provision of a real workplace offering commercial services around which training opportunities can take place. Training offered covers basic workskills through to accredited ASDAN Workright training.

The main commercial work around which training takes place are services to local companies such as packing and posting newsletters and other mailings.

‘The integration of various departments and sharing information between people is one of our top priorities. How we communicate with customers, as well as tracking and tracing all interactions is crucial to us. In addition we consider reliability and security of our systems to be part of everyday communication. For ICT to work for us it has to be there providing us with what we want, be reliable and secure and all without us really noticing it.’

ICT Developments
 

  • A wired server network based on small business server has transformed the way they operate. The server holds all central files, has an automated backup system which is scheduled to backup on a daily basis. It also runs the main printer and provides security and consistency of communication.
  • Having suffered from loss of data in previous organisations Damien has ensured a secondary backup which is on a networked access drive in a separate part of building thus providing an additional level of security.
  • Microsoft software was installed on all PCs and the server. As a charity Paperworks were able to access this at a fraction of the cost (£11 per Office Suite licence) from the Charity Technology Trust (CTX). www.ctxchange.org.uk
  • They have developed a health and safety training manuals using their own audio podcasts . This was developed in conjunction with a local specialist.
  • They have in place a draft version of new website. Their old website was created by a volunteer who has now disappeared (an all too familiar a story). Their new site has been set up so that they can add content and further develop the site as Paperworks continues to grow.
  • Funding for full ecommerce website

Next steps

  • Website – to be better balanced between the commercial and social sides of the business.To include
    • an ecommerce section to the site to sell products including calendars and cards created by Paperworks but also selling products from other charitable organisations.
    • Further podcast to be created including manual handling, use ofequipment and an induction – ‘A day in the life of Paperworks’.
  • Ultimately they would like a more robust backup system which includes the development of a disaster recovery plan.
  • Would like to develop internet telephony system once the technology is reliable and affordable and with high speed internet connection.