Date: 4 June 2008
A Nottinghamshire trio who faced serious
health battles so that they could pursue their goals are proving an
inspiration to others as their new business venture goes from
success to success.
Twelve months ago, Michael Davies, Ian Crook
and Robert Prior were jobless and wanted to return to work. But
they weren’t sure where to start. Injuries sustained in a car
accident had forced Ian to give up his career in the construction
industry. A heart attack had meant that Robert had had to leave his
role as an engineer and Michael’s failing eyesight meant he faced
many challenges ahead.
But the three refused to give in to their
personal challenges and together have joined forces to start their
own business.
With the help of employment experts Working
Links, Business Link and Disability Dynamics, the three of them
have been able to form CAD Concepts UK. Their computer aided design
company based at Portland College, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, now
specialises in devising engineering and architectural drawings.
It’s been quite a journey for all three of
them. Ian had a career in construction until he was injured in a
car accident. His limited mobility meant that he was unable to cope
with the manual side of his job and since he could no longer
continue found himself unemployed and claiming disability benefits.
Robert fell ill six years ago after suffering from a heart attack.
The side effects meant that he could not return to his role as an
engineer.
Undeterred by this, the pair both trained at
Portland College, Mansfield studying CAD design. It was at the
college that they met Michael Davies and the company idea began to
take shape. Michael was unable to work after his eyesight began to
deteriorate nearly 20 years ago. It reached a level that made it
unsafe to work on a factory floor. But his visual impairment became
a challenge for him to prove that it was not the end of his career
and that there were things he could do.
Ian, Robert and Michael were supported by
Working Links, an organisation that specialises in helping people
that face barriers return to work. After sharing their idea, their
consultant Marie Vickers put them in touch with Business Link and
Disability Dynamics who offered support and advice. In addition
Marie arranged for financial support from Working Links which paid
for a website and marketing materials and put them in touch with
potential customers.
Portland College allowed the trio to start
their business from their premises in the early stages which helped
them establish themselves. This helped ease the financial
difficulties that new businesses have to face such as paying for
rent and other overheads.
Robert said: “I could not accept that I wasn’t
able to work when I was still young. I needed a new career path
that enabled me to work but to do something that I had always
wanted to do. Meeting with Ian and Michael put me one step closer
to achieving this. And thanks to the help and support from people
at Working Links, Portland College, Business Link and Disability
Dynamics we have been able to tap into a wealth of knowledge and
turn our ideas into reality”.
- For more information about CAD Concepts UK please contact the
team on 01623 499 164 or visit http://www.cadconceptsuk.com/.
- To find out more about Working Links call 01332 340401 or visit
www.workinglinks.co.uk