True Colours CIC, a support service for people with autism, learning disabilities and mental health, is headed up by Marian Milling with business partner Michelle Campbell.

It currently employs 32 staff members from within the local area that it serves, working in partnership with the Job Centre. This partnership has enabled them to provide those who have been long term unemployed the opportunity of 8-week work experience placements. And 60% of the staff team have been employed through this scheme.

The organisation has also created a new service ‘Employable Me‘ that supports vulnerable independent people into paid employment. And in June this year, it won a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services.

Marian Milling from True Colours CIC

Marian says: “We enable people to try new experiences and opportunities, develop and build new skills to meet individuals needs and abilities.

“From the start, we felt it was important to be part of the community and to be able to put something back from the work we do.

“Through being set up as a social enterprise, it has enabled us to be more flexible and creative with the services we provide to the community.

“Using and purchasing local services boosts the local economy, especially in areas of low economic growth, it also boosts staff’s self-esteem and confidence knowing we are all playing a part to make our communities better places to live in and have a sense of pride and belonging. Our surplus income is reinvested back into the Wigan borough and that is something to be proud of.”