CEO Today United Kingdom Awards

www.ceotodaymagazine.com CEO Today United Kingdom Awards 2018 CHARITY 31 PAULA JENNINGS CEO of Stepping Stones NI ABOUT PAULA JENNINGS Paula, a graduate in Banking and Finance from the University of Ulster, is CEO of Stepping Stones NI, a leading social enterprise in Northern Ireland that supports people with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, learning difficulties and learning disabilities to gain meaningful training and employment. Paula’s enterprising approach has steered a small pilot project into a multi award winning organisation operating five social enterprises and services for people with learning disabilities. She joined the organisation in 1998 and has demonstrated the highest level of commitment, passion and energy bringing real and lasting change to the lives of people who experience barriers to employment and social inclusion. Her vision to win contracts and develop an income stream from social enterprise activity has been a huge success. Since the inception of the first social enterprise at Stepping Stones NI, turnover has increased by 150%. Paula has been successful at securing service level agreements with the health trust and proved the impact of the Stepping Stones NI model to leverage government and European contracts. She has demonstrated exceptional commitment to developing the organisation creating greater impact year on year across a wider geographical area in Northern Ireland. Paula has also successfully secured European partnerships and a range of funding to develop a range of products that support people with learning disabilities to progress into employment that include, enterprise, anti-bullying and volunteering. Development of Services Paula has worked tirelessly to challenge perceptions and attitudes in relation to the capability of people with a learning disability / difficulty. She believed she could do this by proving that people with a learning disability / difficulty could gain meaningful and sustainable employment. Through her hard work and commitment to implement a lasting change in society Paula has created a model of supported employment with a tiered level of support for people with learning difficulties. Services include: - Transitions Service supporting school leavers to make an informed decision about the right move for them when they leave school. - Youth Service engaging young people (16 – 24) in activities, mentoring, training and coaching to realise their full potential. - Training Service providing bespoke and accredited courses to develop fundamental skills for the workplace. - Employment Service tailored support to look for work, gain work experience and secure employment. Hundreds of employers are now engaged with Stepping Stones NI signing up to their high profile campaigns which have changed perceptions of people with learning disabilities and difficulties. Social Enterprise Development Social businesses were established to provide a dual benefit. Firstly to provide a realistic working environment for people with a learning disability / difficulty. Secondly to generate an unrestricted income for the charity. Social enterprises developed include three cafes, a wedding stationery business called Pink Elephant and a Guild Commended picture framing business. All profit from these businesses is reinvested back into the charity to support its work. People First Paula has developed a robust and dynamic organisation always insisting on the best level of service for clients and customers. Paula has secured the Investors in People, ISO 9001 and EFQM awards for the organisation. Paula is recognised by her staff team as an inspirational leader who has built a strong, robust and reputable organisation. Her passion for her work is demonstrated through her strong relationships with trainees, parents, carers and staff. She holds a high level of trust and is widely recognised by the business, community and voluntary sectors as a successful and respected social entrepreneur. She is also active outside of Stepping Stones NI currently servicing as a board member on CO3 (Chief Officers of the Third Sector) and regularly contributes to activities and events through the Institute of Directors, Women in Business and the Lisburn Chamber of Commerce. She was named ‘Business Person of the Year’ at the 2016 Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Business Awards. CONTACT Paula Jennings W: www.steppingstonesni.com E: Paula.jennings@steppng-stones.org.uk T: 0044 2892 667124 Twitter: @paulamjennings