Marketing Team Supports Inclusive Businesses

People with learning disabilities were given a marketing masterclass by Community Integrated Care’s Communications and Marketing Team, as part of an innovative project which aims to inspire them to create their own businesses.

John Hughes, Communications and Marketing Manager for Community Integrated Care, delivered a workshop session to fifteen members of Dolphin’s Den, a project that is operated by the charity, Thera Trust. Dolphins Den aims to support people with learning disabilities to set up their own businesses or community projects, by developing their commercial skills.

John, who is a Chartered Marketer, delivered a fun and interactive workshop to members of the group at Preston Town Hall, on 28^th October. Through presentations and activities, the group reviewed what marketing is, the qualities of successful brands and how they could promote their own businesses. He was joined at the event by Danielle Chan, also a Communications and Marketing Manager for our charity, who supported members during activity sessions.

Community Integrated Care’s in-house Communications and Marketing Team oversees external promotion of our charity, and internal communications with our colleagues. They have been recognised with a host of prestigious awards for their work, including being named the 2014 Chartered Institute of Marketing In-House Team of the Year.

John says, “It was a great honour to work with members of Dolphins Den and help them turn their business ideas into a reality. This project is a fantastic way to inspire people with learning disabilities to fulfil their talents and passions, by creating successful and sustainable businesses. Dolphins Den proves that having a learning disability should not be a barrier to people being part of mainstream society, which is something that is core to our values at Community Integrated Care too.”

Dolphins Den creator, Andrew Bright from Thera Group, said: “Dolphins Den participants learned about the importance of marketing their own businesses, through fun and exciting activities, delivered by an expert in the field – John Hughes. Learning about marketing has never been so much fun! The session left a mark on all participants and will help them to move further forward with their own businesses.”