How being a Patron will Enable our community to live happier lives

Ian Mitchell, Chief Executive of Enable, tells Sarah Dale why he decided to become a Patron member of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce and how the local business community can support Enable’s vision to expand and improve residents’ lives.

Being an integral part of the Wandsworth community is a key goal of Enable, a not-for-profit organisation which works in partnership with councils, charities and other organisations to deliver health, leisure and community services and events that enrich people’s lives.

Their work ranges from managing local parks to staging public and private events, from running sports and community facilities to organising local health programmes.

And they are proud to manage a diverse portfolio of public services on behalf of Wandsworth Council.

So, being a proud Patron member of the Chamber was the obvious next step of their growth plan, explains Ian Mitchell, Enable’s Chief Executive since 2018.

“At Enable, we are primarily focused on the community and there are so many business connections that the Chamber is working with, it made sense to join,” says Ian, who is also a new Board Director at the Chamber.

“One of our key aims is to expand and improve people’s lives in the borough and local businesses can play a big part in that. I also wanted to be part of the great work that the Chamber does and benefit from their support of local businesses, whether that is through jobs or connections.

“And already within the first couple of months, we have made so many connections, which will only grow over time, and been able to add some support to local businesses. It is an amazing network and we are very pleased with the initial introduction to the Chamber.”

Being a Patron will also help to boost Enable’s brand awareness and reputation in the borough and showcase their wide range of services.

The organisation is “continuously expanding” and has doubled in size over the past five years and now has 240 employees. They are currently recruiting in a variety of departments, including in marketing and communications, health and wellbeing, events, and support services.

“Our main focus over the next 12 to 24 months is getting more involved in the community,” he adds.

“There is a lot of need out there, particularly in Wandsworth, and we want to improve people’s lives as best we can. We are very lucky to have a great staff cohort who all want the same thing: to improve people's lives, whether it is through our work with parks, events and filming to health and wellbeing.”

Enable carried on throughout the Covid pandemic providing vital services looking after two crematoria and five cemeteries , as well as a range of parks and green spaces across the borough.

The organisation’s focus on health and wellbeing includes a range of exercise classes and an accredited walking scheme that offers a variety of free walks around the borough.

Enable also looks after filming and photoshoots in Wandsworth, on behalf of the council, and some of the notable past productions filmed on location in the borough include Killing Eve and The Crown.

“Having come out of the other side of Covid, we have really leaned on that ability to flex during challenges and stay resilient,” he says.

“Personally, my resilience comes from the fact that I get a lot out of what we do, supporting our residents. I am very output driven and I like to go out in the community to see how our work is benefitting others. We are making a difference and our staff are very proud of what they do. We put a lot of energy into our staff. I am very lucky to have a team who are very passionate about what they do.

“As an organisation, we stay resilient by having a strong plan and vision and a very good board of trustees – and we get things done. I have seen businesses talk a lot about what they’re going to do and then staff don’t see it happening. Here, we do what we say we’re going to do.

“Funding is a big challenge, but the more we do, the more funding comes in, so we can help more people.

“It’s tough out there as a business, as a charity. Doing what you say you’re going to do retains staff, retains credibility and retains relationships with stakeholders. That gives us a lot of resilience.” events and filming to health and wellbeing.

Enable has taken on a couple of apprentices who now work full-time with the organisation and Ian says they are looking to take on more.

“Providing work to local people is another way to help the local community,” he adds. “We also provide volunteering opportunities, which helps with social isolation, health and wellbeing.”

Find out more about Enable at www.enablelc.org