Bizlink Centre in Singapore has a slightly different take on providing social services to its beneficiaries. It cares for people with disability by allowing them the opportunity to be independent and re-integrate into society. By running social enterprises in cleaning, data entry and IT, human resource outsourcing, and packaging and fulfillment, it provides feasible means to income generation for many who would be unemployed as a result of their disability.
Now, Bizlink will launch a new floral and hamper social enterprise that would create 100 jobs over the next five years, specifically for people with mental disabilities.
They will partner with the Institute of Mental Health, who have been referring suitable people for the organization’s other social enterprises, and Katong Flower Shop, who will provide training in flower arrangement and hamper construction to the employees.
Bizlink was established in1985 at a time when a survey by the Ministry of Community Development revealed that over 50% of people with disabilities were unemployed. It has since taken on the task to link employment with the disadvantaged.
Increasing amounts of social enterprise activity in Singapore can be seen through government programs and independent supporters. For Bizlink, choosing to run social enterprises is to achieve sustainability for their business units. Of similar importance is the acknowledgement that their beneficiaries want dignity, which they hope to help them achieve.
Photo from Bizlink Centre.