AMANDA PALMER-ROYE, Ceo of Eco-Actif Services CIC was born and educated in Sutton, and overcame early difficulties in life caused by family poverty and her dyslexia, to become a true social entrepreneur and a campaigner for social justice. Amanda is a fellow of the Ogunte Make a Wave Pre-Incubator. Here's her story:

"Throughout my life, I have always been interested in people and my passion for them led me to work locally".

In 2002 I was asked to work on a DWP pilot for Eco-Actif, a department of the London Borough of Sutton. This was to work with offenders and recovering drug & alcohol users to help them get back into employment and/or training. As it was a pilot I was able to create a comprehensive, tailor made programme which became one of the most successful DWP programmes in the London South Area.

In 2005 Sutton employed a new CEO, and his first job was to make this whole department redundant. Completely driven by emotion, I was furious and asked the CEO ‘who was going to take care and offer support to the person in his borough with an £800 per day crack habit?’ -, he was completely thrown and unaware that ‘these’ people existed in leafy Sutton.

I arranged an appointment with the CEO’s office to ask if I could buy Eco-Actif - only to be told that I could only but the name. I finally took Eco-Actif away from my Local Authority in 2006 and turned it into one of the first CIC’s. I decided to contact the Senior Contracts Manager at DWP for a meeting and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. As the, now relinquished, Sutton contracts were delivered by me and my colleagues, if he gave them to me, I would continue delivery immediately and none of the JCP customers would suffer because it would still be me delivering, saving them a lot of time.

So, with no track record, just an excellent reputation, we were given two of Sutton’s old contracts. Eco-Actif was born!! On 3rd April my colleague Anna and I sat in our new office (1/2 of an old council house), - no pay, no pension, no security and the door never stopped knocking… Clients came by the dozen and we did everything - from the delivery, the training, the job club and the office cleaning – it was so difficult but a great buzz to be doing this our way, not the councils - and giving our clients exactly what they needed - comprehensive, holistic, practical support. Not lip service!

It became apparent very quickly that between the two of us we could write some fantastically innovative programmes, Anna promptly turned these into bids and suddenly we were flying. I won an UnLtd level 2 award, we paid ourselves the same salaries that we earned whilst in the Council and by the end of 2006 we had employed 5 people.

What were your main challenges?

Being a female-led organisation, though, was not easy and having a learning difficulty made things twice as hard. The challenges were:

* Major financial institutions did not recognise Social Enterprises as ‘real businesses’

* Having to learn about business and how it works whilst working with clients.

* Working with this particular client group sometimes ostracised us from funding opportunities.

* Running the business with no credit lines as the banks didn’t understand Companies limited by guarantee.

* Trying to balance having a new enterprise and a young family.

The fire in my belly has encouraged me to build a successful CIC and Social Firm and to date we have helped over 1500 disadvantaged people access services, training, employment and become positive active citizens in their communities.

I continually strive to remove barriers and challenge social injustice and this passion has now led me to the US with Inclusion to become a founder member of V20, a national panel of Voluntary Sector organisations sharing excellent practice in employability programmes and advising on social inclusion.

It was my intention to become a centre of excellence. Our future is to continue this work and our vision is that EVERY person we work with is equipped with the skills required to find and keep a job. I want to revolutionise the Rehabilitation and Resettlement of all socially marginalised people.

What are your 5 tips to your peers?

1- Go with your instinct, if you believe in your project, then stick with it.

When we were made redundant, I knew that they were wrong and that the work that we were doing for offenders was worthwhile. That was my motivation.

2- Don’t be afraid to ask for help, surround yourself with people who ‘can do’.

Having a learning difficulty and not being a natural businesswoman, I made sure that I was surrounded by ‘educated people’.

3- Be transparent, open and honest, you can’t know everything!

When you take “The Man’s” money, they will always ask questions. Only use the funding for what you need, spend it on the beneficiaries. Make sure your books are clear. (I never worry about an audit!)

4- Stick to what you know, don’t be Jack of all trades!

I have worked with offenders for around 15 years. It’s what I know well. Working with other disadvantaged groups is great but to be an expert in one area, and to be known for that is what works.

5- Keep the fire in your belly alight!

I believe in opportunities for everyone. We are a community. It’s about inclusion, not exclusion.