Hand on Heart is a young and new innovative voluntary organisation which commenced in July 2010 which aims to create employment for people with disabilities through innovative businesses and enterprises using a Social Enterprise Model.

Our approach to employment is developing teams of people with different disabilities so that their collective abilities shine through rather then focusing on a person’ disability.  A team of six people who are all blind may not be able to operate a coffee shop, however a team made up of people with various disabilities can; it is only a case of ensuring the environment is suitable.

A picture paints a thousand words, why not check ‘Our Gallery’ section of the website.

Hand on Heart will be the first organisation that grows business enterprises within the spectrum of a Social Enterprise Model.  In the past people with disabilities have often been ‘excluded’ from performing certain jobs because of ‘Health and Safety’ issues.  This ’excuse’ you will not find at Hand on Heart Enterprises.  We simply design work environments that are safe and truly inclusive from the start for everyone.

Our key marketing strategy is based on Social Responsibility. As many companies now focus on promoting fair trade and their production techniques being eco-friendly, buying goods and services from Hand on Heart Enterprises promotes the employment of people with disabilities.

‘Thank you from buying a sandwich from our catering service.  Your purchase has contributed to the employment of people with disabilities.’

We talk to many companies and business that want to support people with disabilities, and tell us that this is a much more effective approach to creating jobs.  Particularly in this current environment, this is a softer approach than traditional approaches and with over 200,000 people with disabilities unemployed in Ireland Hand on Heart is paving a new way of thinking going forward.