Poetry in Wood runs a course accredited by the Open College Network for art, design and woodwork for people with learning disabilities. We train 32 students per week, who when they have completed the course, can be employed in our social enterprise. Here they work on commissions from the public and make products. We need an outlet to sell our product to enable us to be self-sustaining. We have been offered a shop in Brick Lane but need funding to pay the rent and outfit the shop.

What we'll deliver:

• We will outfit the shop to have a spectacular display and shop window.

Why it's a great idea:

It will be the only shop in the whole area selling the work of people with learning disabilities. This will serve the dual purpose of showcasing their work and gaining us more commissions, but it shows to the wider community the skills that
it is possible for people with learning disabilities to gain and help them earn the respect they should have from the wider community. Their work is of high quality and we have made works for many statutory bodies in Tower Hamlets and for corporate clients like Memery Crystal, and Hogan Lovells, International legal firms. Our students and workers need to see the result of their training and hard work and having the shop will increase their self esteem and independence. We are struggling to fund the training side of our project and this will enable us to trade and earn money for ourselves.

Steps to get it done:

• We will work with a shop designer and our students and workers to create an eye catching shop.

Against stiff opposition we have gained a float in the Lord Mayor's Show this year. The BBC are making a film of our preparations which will be shown just before the parade.This publicity will enlarge our audience and hopefully will encourage people to come to the shop and buy our goods. Brick Lane is full of restaurants, clothes shops and estate agents. Our shop will be something uniquely different and will enhance the Lane.