This project will be located along the North Wales coastal belt, Conwy, Denbighshire or Flintshire. Land purchase options are unlikely to take place until well into 2010, by the third sector consultancy www.empowersvs.org.uk who wish to open and run a conference centre as part of its core business and will be solely responsible for that purchase but will lease to The Beacon Project the land and outbuildings that the project realistically feels it can use. This will be a large social enterprise project marrying a number of different models and core community values; ethical land use, public access, placement activity, educational activity, sanctuary, care farm and volunteering opportunities.
The project will be looking from the purchase to take over buildings suitable for a number of possible purposes, land blocks suitable for grazing, woodland for conservation and wildlife management.
The project will therefore throughout 2010 be preparing in detail a business plan to enable it to seize the initiative once that purchase has gone through.
For each of the activities listed below, the project will conduct site visits to other existing organizations, examine best practice structures, compile detailed financial set-up costs, estimate annual running costs, look at compatibility within the overall project, assess likely skills needed to deliver the activity and to actively research how best to tailor the activity to the needs of the community in training and learning opportunities. For some of these activities the Project will actively seek mentoring bodies to guide its progress, for others the project will seek out partnership working with other community bodies that would wish to share the resources available on the new site.
Wildlife Watching Opportunities
Establish the practicalities of opening a badger and fox watching opportunity.
Produce a realistic business plan on likely income and running costs for the scheme to be operational within 6 months of moving onto site. Revenue accrued will fund set-up costs for the next project.
Invite on site specialized regional bodies to conduct full surveys of all bird, mammal, reptile and insect species and to take advice as appropriate in the development of resources needed by species.
Invite onto site specialized regional bodies to conduct full surveys of all flora and fauna and to take advice as appropriate on measures requiring Project input.
To build close relationships with conservation bodies during surveys that will allow study sessions, public participation and observation opportunities.
To recruit an experienced conservation volunteer willing to push, promote and steer this part of the project along.
Rescue Equine Unit
Produce detailed projected running costs that will allow the Project to have an objective debate about the reality of running this unit on site.
Examine all possibilities for delivering animal assisted therapies from within the unit.
Identify the skills required by the different registry bodies for that therapy training, the process by which clients are attracted and the likely revenue accruing from the provision of that service.
To recruit an experienced person wanting to blend the twin concepts of equine rescue and animal therapies and willing to push this side of the project along.
Investigate with appropriate commissioning bodies the practicalities, the skills and the procedures needed and the financial implications of incorporating therapeutic care services into the running of this unit.
Look and consider the most appropriate learning module to be delivered within this unit for the core care service. Assess its delivery, the accreditation required and the resources needed within the unit.
Farm Animal Complex
Produce a detailed land assessment of the needs of several farm species and set an optimum feasible figure for each.
Produce a detailed annual budget for each species.
Investigate with appropriate commissioning bodies the practicalities, the skills and the procedures needed and the financial implications of incorporating therapeutic care services into the running of this unit.
Look and consider the most appropriate learning module to be delivered within this unit for the core care service. Assess its delivery, the accreditation required and the resources needed within the unit.
Vegetarian Community Café
Assess relevant competition within the area of vegetarian catering and non-vegetarian catering.
Investigate the existing delivery of vegetarian catering courses regionally.
Produce a draft assessment of likely turn-over and identify key customer groups.
Produce a full list of equipment required for set-up with current second-hand prices.
Identify possible funders for set-up.
Investigate with appropriate commissioning bodies the practicalities, the skills and the procedures needed and the financial implications of incorporating therapeutic care services into the running of this unit.
Look and consider the most appropriate learning module to be delivered within this unit for the core care service. Assess its delivery, the accreditation required and the resources needed within the unit.
Injured Wild Bird Unit
Produce a detailed set-up costings for this unit, break down the running costs per bird for the year.
Investigate options for revenue creation within the unit.
Examine best practice procedures by looking at the work of other bird units.
Have a detailed look at housing options in release aviaries.
Recruit experienced person to push this work.
Grounds Maintenance And Conservation Task Force
Find key skilled highly practical person responsible and capable of laying infrastructure onto the land enabling access, fencing, water provision and shelter for the sanctuary animals.
Draw up plans for the development and growth of the woodland resource.
Work up list of key equipment needed for team.
Develop good volunteer co-ordinating skills.
Research possible funding options for this area.
Assess key machinery needed on site for different units.
Investigate with appropriate commissioning bodies the practicalities, the skills and the procedures needed and the financial implications of incorporating therapeutic care services into the running of this unit.
Look and consider the most appropriate learning module to be delivered within this unit for the core care service. Assess its delivery, the accreditation required and the resources needed within the unit.
Overseas Residential Volunteering Opportunities
Look at possible recruitment sites in Europe and Asia.
Investigate legal requirements involved in attracting overseas volunteers.
Draw up detailed volunteer programme.
Assess likely accrued revenue from this scheme.
Look at similar schemes operating in this country.
Community Art Space
Bring on board an artist with existing skills in working with vulnerable groups.
Look at set-up cost and equipment needed to deliver.
As a self-funding unit revenue creation must be crucial, assess possible product marketing.
Investigate with appropriate commissioning bodies the practicalities, the skills and the procedures needed and the financial implications of incorporating therapeutic care services into the running of this unit.
Look and consider the most appropriate learning module to be delivered within this unit for the core care service. Assess its delivery, the accreditation required and the resources needed within the unit.
Consider possible options for outdoor art production working with natural materials produced from the land.
Examine possible art funding options.
Community Allotments/Organic growing scheme
Recruit experienced organic grower preferably with experience of working with vulnerable groups.
Develop community composting resource.
Implement development of new allotment area for site.
Research food funding options.
Investigate with appropriate commissioning bodies the practicalities, the skills and the procedures needed and the financial implications of incorporating therapeutic care services into the running of this unit.
Look and consider the most appropriate learning module to be delivered within this unit for the core care service. Assess its delivery, the accreditation required and the resources needed within the unit.
At the end of this period of consultation, the Project will prior to purchase produce a draft business plan to allow it to enter into partnership with Empower to deliver in a systematic, tabled and sustained way individual aspects of the project’s goals
It therefore has 3 primary objectives for 2010:
To have developed detailed business plans for each viable component of the Project, to have researched all aspects of the delivery of that part of the project and to have attracted the necessary human resources essential for its fruition.
To be ready to initiate at least 3 of the schemes within the Project within the first 6 months after purchase so that revenue can be brought in as quickly as possible.
To be ready to take the draft plans for the Project to the local community for feedback, consultation and adaptation.