European Social Fund in England

‘My heart said I should do this, and I did it’

Former psychiatric nurse Stephen Hemingway had taken a career break to look after his newly-diagnosed autistic son two years ago when he himself became unwell.

The 39-year-old started suffering fits and was diagnosed with epilepsy.

"My doctor said I couldn't work again, that I couldn't go up ladders, look at computer screens or flashing lights," said Stephen, who lives with his wife and children in Shafton, South Yorkshire.

Taking 38 tablets a day to keep his condition under control, the father-of-five started claiming Incapacity Benefit.

It was at one of his scheduled interviews at the Jobcentre that Stephen was told about a European Social Fund self-employment programme run by A4e in Barnsley.

"I went along in April of this year," said Stephen. "I got onto the business start-ups programme and told them what I wanted to do.

"I had this idea to use my art - to do workshops in schools and colleges and team-building for companies.

"They said my business idea was really good. I had meetings with them every week for eight weeks where they taught me the basics of business. They were great with the support - whenever I rang them they were there."

Within three months, Stephen had launched his new venture, Blink Art, at the Acorn Business Centre in Grimethorpe.

"It's part studio, part gallery," said Stephen, who takes commissions for paintings and leads art sessions with both adults and children. "We opened in July 2009 and it's been going really well. I'm here at 6.30 in the morning most days."

He was recently commissioned to help children paint a mural at a primary school in Grimethorpe and has now been appointed local lead artist for 'The Big Draw' in October. The Big Draw is a series of UK-wide events promoted by The Campaign for Drawing to encourage participation in art.

"The business is really good, you get to meet a lot of really interesting people," said Stephen. "When my doctor told me I couldn't work I thought 'there's got to be something I can do'. My heart said this and so I've done it."

Project Information (September 2009)

The ESF Self-Employment Programme is run by A4e and is co-financed by the Department for Work and Pensions. It currently takes 100 delegates a year across South Yorkshire and runs in Barnsley, Doncaster and Sheffield. Participants are taught about all aspects of running a business from branding and marketing to sources of finance and tax matters.

The programme runs from June 2008 until June 2011.