Are you or someone you support, living with a disability and dreaming of starting a business?
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in collaboration with Enterprise North West, Roe Valley Enterprises and Go Succeed, are hosting an event exploring best practice examples in inclusive entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on disability/long term health conditions, in to order to help inform delivery enterprise supports.
For many disabled people or those with long term health conditions wishing to enter the workforce on their own terms, self-employment and entrepreneurship can be a very worthwhile and empowering option to achieve more independence. It provides the flexibility and freedom to choose your own hours and working conditions however, it can be an extremely daunting experience navigating the support on where to start.
Through this event, attendees will hear from keynote speakers who will provide inspirational, lived-experience stories about their successful pathways to entrepreneurship alongside specialist support organisations who will help directly with the startup process and identify the appropriate sources of expertise, funding and any additional support.
Support Organisations attending include:
- Department for Communities
- Labour Market Partnership
- North West Regional College
- Cedar Foundation
- Enterprise NI
- Disability Action
Tea, coffee and a light lunch will be available during the event. Should you require any reasonable adjustments to support your attendance, please contact us in advance.
Guest Speakers
Jennifer Smyth, Jennifer’s Journey
Thirteen years ago, a life-changing accident left Jennifer Smyth with a spinal cord injury, changing the direction of her life forever.
Since then, she has turned her personal experience into a passion for improving opportunities, accessibility and inclusion within fitness and disability sport.
Jennifer is the driving force behind Jenn’s Gym and Jennifer’s Journey, combining her work running a charity with advocating for accessible fitness, raising awareness of spinal cord injuries and exploring the latest innovations in recovery and rehabilitation.
Jennifer continues to champion inclusion, challenge perceptions and highlight the potential of emerging technologies in spinal cord injury recovery, with a determination to help create a more accessible future for everyone.
Natalie McGee, Saluté
Natalie McGee is a facialist and certified health coach. Originally from Holland, she was raised bilingual and speaks English as her third language.
After moving to Limavady 12 years ago to start her family, she experienced postnatal health challenges and isolation, which motivated her to retrain and turn her own wellbeing journey into a source of purpose.
With previous experience running a wellbeing salon in Amsterdam, Natalie set out to create a business that combined facials, health coaching, and artisan granola, but initially lacked local connections and support.
Her turning point came through the Explore Enterprise Support Service at Roe Valley Enterprises, where she built confidence, direction, and a business model that suited her lifestyle. Three years later, Natalie has developed a thriving wellness practice and now also delivers health talks and cooking workshops, growth she credits to the skills, support, and community she gained along the way.
Andy Norris, O2 North West Clinics
Andy Norris, O2 North West Clinics
Andy Norris currently runs O2 North West Clinics, which offers Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to its clients.
After experiencing severe spinal damage and undergoing surgery, Andy turned to hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a last resort to reclaim his life. The results were life-changing, and they have inspired him to share this incredible treatment with others seeking hope, healing, pain relief and transformation.
O2 North West Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is dedicated to transforming lives through the power of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Motivated by the body’s incredible ability to heal, Andy has created a space where wellness thrives. Andy is passionate about healing and dedicated to enhancing lives through transformative hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
His mission is to support clients in their wellness journey, offering a sanctuary of health and recovery.