When Chris first came to our One Manchester sessions, he was looking for help with finding work and developing his small gardening business.

Like many of the people we support, Chris didn’t need somebody to do everything for him. He needed a bit of support to use digital tools to turn what he was already good at into something that could earn him a living.

We helped Chris with his job searching and worked with him to create a flyer to promote his gardening services. This week, he came back to tell us how things were going.

And things are really going.

Chris told us that his gardening income has increased from around £150 a month to £600 a month. The flyer has helped him find new customers and, importantly, that extra income has enabled him to buy a car. Previously, Chris was transporting his gardening equipment around in an old shopping trolley.

Now he can put it in his car, travel further and take on work across a much wider area. He’s not finished yet. Chris wants to grow his business to at least £1,200 a month and, while he does that, he’s continuing to look for employment too. Having a car has opened up more possibilities there as well. 

For us, this is what digital inclusion looks like. It isn’t always about teaching someone how to use a computer. Sometimes it’s helping someone create a flyer. That flyer helps them find customers. Those customers help them earn more money. That money buys a car. And that car opens up a whole new world of opportunities.

From a shopping trolley to a car. From £150 to £600 a month. And Chris isn’t done yet!