Rosie Winterton

|

Rosie meets Paul and Debbie Carter, A Pathways to work success story

Rosie Winterton, MP for Doncaster Central will be meeting with Paul and Debbie Chafer from Armthorpe at Jobcentre Plus on Friday 13 July at 2.00 p.m. to find out about their new business venture, littlechildrensbookclub.com, set up with help from the Pathways to Work, Business Link and Into Business programmes.

Paul Chafer was diagnosed with Sticklers Syndrome in 1984, when he was just 24 years old. Sticklers Syndrome is a rare genetic defect which leads to blindness and can also cause deafness and arthritis. 
By the time Paul turned forty he could barely walk due to the arthritis and was told he would be in a wheelchair.  He is blind in his right eye and only has 60% vision in his left eye. 

Before setting up the company, Paul had done no paid work for 20 years due to his disabilities and frequent visits to the Royal Hallamshire and Doncaster Royal Infirmary. However he always had an interest in writing books for children and poetry, and his wife Debbie produced sketches to illustrate his writing. 

With the changes happening in the benefit system and the good news that Paul was about to receive new treatment that would help him walk again, Paul and Debbie decided to approach Jobcentre Plus to explore the possibilities of changing their hobby of writing, illustrating and producing children’s books into a business.  They visited Jobcentre Plus in January of this year and were advised by an Incapacity Benefit Personal adviser about help available through the Pathways to Work programme, a scheme specifically designed to help the long term unemployed and people on incapacity benefit back into work. 

Paul and Debbie discussed their ideas for children’s books and were referred to Chris Peltier at the Into Business Scheme for more information about self employment and then to Business Link who offered grants to fund their plans. 
 

Paul says

“Debbie has been my main carer and is always there, supporting and helping.  Now we are a business team trying to forge ahead with a proposal for a company that has not only restored our self esteem but means we will become a working part of society, giving something back. 

Our books create an atmosphere that can be shared and enjoyed by both parent and child, promoting kindness, friendship and honesty through stories of magic, mystery and fantasy.

It hasn’t been easy, anything worthwhile never is and we have had our fair share of setbacks but we are still progressing, still developing, still determined to succeed and we are fully committed to making our business work”

Over the past six months regular meetings were held with their advisor, Chris Peltier from the Into Business Scheme, and Paul and Debbie have now produced an exciting range of personalised childrens books.
They are now at the stage where they will test trade. Their website www.littlechildrensbookclub.com  is currently in the process of being built.

Rosie says

“Pathways to Work is about helping people like Paul and Debbie to overcome the obstacles they face and get the help they need to change their lives and make the most of their talents and skills, working on what they can do rather than what they are not able to do and achieve their full potential.

I wish Paul and Debbie every success with their business venture.