[blindza] Article: Alphabet bracelets spell success for Fife Society for Blind

From: "Jacob Kruger" <jacob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "NAPSA Blind" <blind@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2012 06:44:57 +0200
---article content---
Alphabet bracelets spell success for Fife Society for Blind 
KIRKCALDY;
Fife Society for the Blind social enterprise - created braillie jewellery and 
chocolate ;
GEMMA KIRK & LISA GIRVAN
Photo ; WALTER NEILSON 

KIRKCALDY; Fife Society for the Blind social enterprise - created braillie 
jewellery and chocolate ; GEMMA KIRK & LISA GIRVAN Photo ; WALTER NEILSON
Published on Thursday 4 October 2012 09:44 

ALPHABET bracelets and 'Feely Good' chocolate are just two of the creative 
products which have been developed to help fund services for blind and partially
sighted people in Fife. 

They were made by FSB Enterprises which was formed by Fife Society for the 
Blind in 2002 as a social enterprise to create creating jobs, and generate extra
income to fund its services.

Initial business services revolved around the transcription of information into 
Braille, large print and audio as well as training and consultancy work
- public sector customers included NHS Fife, NHS Scotland, Fife Council's 
education service and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Opportunities

But as that market became more competitive, the company started to look for new 
opportunities and the idea of creating Braille jewellery became a reality.

It involved making alphabet bracelets - small silver tiles with print letters 
on one side and Braille on the other. They also helped to educate people
about the importance of Braille and brought in additional money.

From alphabet bracelets came the production of individual designs to order, 
with names and other messages incorporated in attractive designs and these
sold through an online shop, craft fayres and special events. 

An early supporter of Braille jewellery was Sarah Brown, wife of Gordon Brown 
MP, the Society's honorary chairman.

Jewellery has been followed by 'Feely Good Chocolate' where special moulds are 
used to produce chocolate bars with the Braille message.

After receiving support in a local 'Dragons Den' competition, FSB Enterprises 
has taken the concept further with the development of hand-finished personalised
tactile bars. It is the sole producer, and is now looking for financial support 
to work up volume production with marketing through farmers' markets and
the online shop.

Shortlisted

Following the success of the venture, FSB Enterprises has been shortlisted in a 
competition run by Visionary, the umbrella organisation representing local
societies for the blind.

Alan Suttie, chief executive, describes the initiative as "helping ourselves to 
meet the current financial challenge." 

He said: "All too often charities complain about financial challenges but fail 
to look at how they can be innovative and creative, not just reliant on
public generosity. 

''We believe that Braille Jewellery and Feely Good Chocolate are helping us to 
achieve our aims of providing jobs, raising awareness and with the potential
to deliver a surplus income."

source:
http://tinyurl.com/chftmrb
[blindza] Article: Alphabet bracelets spell success for Fife Society for Blind

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