This month we were fortunate enough to have the wonderful support of 6 volunteers from Cirrus Logic deliver 12 mentoring sessions to schools from Enfield, Ealing and Barking and Dagenham as part of our #SocialEnterpriseSchools programme!

The young people provided progress updates on their social enterprise ideas - each tackling a social or environmental issue of their choosing, supported by an enterprise activity that will enable them to deliver impact. Our mentors used their wealth of experience to make recommendations on ways to develop their ideas, and provided tips on how to prepare their pitches for the Dragons’ Dens events that are taking place across London in April and May 💡

Thank you to Dejan Ostojic , Griff Tanner, Ian Hayfield, Sophie Hunter, Darren Jones and Jonny Taylor for supporting the programme, and see you all at your Dragons’ Den events in a few weeks time - I’m sure you’re going to be fantastic dragons 🐉

We are always keen to connect with organisations who would like to support young people in their communities in a meaningful way. If you would like to find out more, email schools@socialenterprise.academy and one of our team will get in touch.

Our SAP mentors and our young social entrepreneurs in London have had a busy few weeks! They have been working together to develop their #SocialEnterprise ideas further and getting ready to pitch their social enterprise at their local Dragons' Den 🐉

Well done to all pupils at La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls' School and Ruth for making this happen - we're really excited to hear more about the social issue they want to solve and the social enterprise they have created to address it 🌎

Nicola McLean London Borough of Lambeth

🌍💙 World Glaucoma Day: Protect Your Vision! 💙🌍
Glaucoma is the silent thief of sight—often showing no symptoms until it’s too late. At Cape Town Society for the Blind, we are committed to raising awareness and supporting those affected by vision loss.

🔍 Did you know?

👁️ Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide.
📉 Early detection through regular eye tests can help prevent irreversible vision loss.
💡 Assistive technology and training empower individuals with visual impairments to thrive!

At CTSB, we provide essential skills training, assistive technology, and career opportunities to individuals with visual impairments—because vision loss should never mean opportunity loss.

💬 Join us in spreading awareness! Tag a friend and remind them to get their eye pressure checked today.

#WorldGlaucomaDay #ProtectYourSight #CTSB #BlindnessAwareness #InclusiveOpportunities

Meet Colin Willemse and Andre Timotheuse, two remarkable individuals who have transformed adversity into opportunity with the support of the Cape Town Society for the Blind (CTSB). Their journeys exemplify resilience and the power of community.

Colin Willemse lost his sight due to separate incidents at ages six and eighteen. Initially, he found it challenging to come to terms with his blindness. Through rehabilitation and connecting with others facing similar challenges, Colin discovered that life without sight is still full of possibilities. At CTSB, he embraced cane weaving, finding daily joy in learning new techniques and cherishing the camaraderie within the workshop. He reflects, "I thought at the beginning that to be blind is the end of the world. But now that I’ve met people who are in the same situation as me, I’ve seen that you can live. It’s only your sight that’s gone. But you don’t always need it."

Andre Timotheuse experienced total vision loss due to unsuccessful cataract surgeries in his early thirties. Undeterred, Andre emphasizes that blindness doesn't preclude one from meaningful employment. He encourages others with visual impairments to take initiative, stating, "For a blind person to work is not difficult because you can walk into any job, like me, I willing to do any job. So, I would encourage blind people who are sitting out there to stand up. And there is work for you out there."
Their stories highlight the importance of organizations like CTSB in providing training and employment opportunities for the visually impaired. By fostering skills such as cane weaving, CTSB empowers individuals to lead fulfilling, independent lives.

Discover more about Colin and Andre's inspiring journeys and the impactful work of CTSB here: https://lnkd.in/dgBPNRTe
#Inspiration #Resilience #CapeTownSocietyForTheBlind #VisualImpairment #Empowerment

The Art of Weaving: A Metaphor for Empowerment at CTSB
Weaving is more than just a craft—it's a symbol of resilience, patience, and interconnectedness. Each thread, carefully placed, strengthens the fabric, just as every skill learned empowers individuals at Cape Town Society for the Blind (CTSB).

At CTSB, we are weaving new possibilities for visually impaired individuals through skill development, job creation, and economic empowerment. Much like the intricate patterns created on a loom, our approach to training and development is deliberate, ensuring that every individual gains the confidence and technical expertise needed to thrive in the workforce.

Watch this video to see the incredible craftsmanship and resilience of artisans who, despite visual impairment, create beauty with their hands: https://lnkd.in/dABbSi3w It’s a reminder that with the right opportunities, barriers are merely obstacles waiting to be transformed into bridges.

Join us in championing inclusion, economic empowerment, and the art of possibility. Let’s continue weaving a future where everyone, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to thrive.
#CTSB #Empowerment #WeavingPossibilities #Inclusion #BlindCommunity #SkillsDevelopment