Comas is exploring the potential of micro-enterprise as a practical, small step approach to enabling people to start to overcome poverty.
Micro-enterprise in developing countries (learned during our partnership with NGOs in Sri Lanka) involves individuals in trading or business on a subsistence scale. Our goal for micro-enterprise in Scotland is to enable people to be just up to £20 per week better off – with this, they can create a protective margin between managing and crisis.
£20 is the level of ‘earnings disregard’ for benefits claimants. Over time, people can use their micro-enterprise skills to help them over the transition from benefits to paid work, for example by going to college or university.

Peter’s story
Peter is a teacher who retired early through ill health. Now in recovery from addiction he has become used to the phrase ‘lucky to be alive’ as doctors continue to treat a range of chronic illnesses which resulted from years of alcoholism. Still with very poor health, Peter is unable to work, yet is considered ineligible for Disability Living Allowance. His teacher’s pension makes him ineligible for most other benefits and the resources accorded those who are claimants. During the winter, Peter’s bills piled up one after the other.  He has tried a range of part-time jobs but these have set his health back significantly.
Peter has two assets he can use to supplement his income.
The first is Peter’s talent as a poet. Comas is supporting him to sell his poetry as a craft at craft markets. He won’t get rich this way, but he can earn some money with almost no initial outlay.
The second is the fact that Peter lives in an area of social housing which is scheduled for demolition. This means that in his area, furniture is regularly being left outside for refuse collection. He has acquired several items which he has cleaned up and sold on to second hand furniture sellers.
Both of these activities are in the informal economy, but for Peter are an important part of his journey towards health and economic recovery:

• Both activities can be carried out when Peter is feeling well. When he is unwell or in hospital, there is no penalty, he simply picks up the activity when he feels better
• The small amount of cash income helps Peter to negotiate payment arrangements on his debts direct from his pension
• The activities are good for Peter’s self esteem and confidence, and his hope that he can one day regain regular work

Jane’s story
Jane is in recovery from addiction and gradually working towards employment as a classroom assistant. Whilst in training, Jane needs to gain more financial stability, to ensure she manages the stress of being a new student positively – any additional stress caused by financial difficulties could threaten Jane’s recovery and her successful completion of the course.
Jane’s micro-enterprise comes from her talent for baking. Each month Jane sells cakes at a small profit to the Serenity Cafe for the cafe-club nights.
It’s not rocket science or big bucks, but it helps Jane in a very practical way to keep life manageable:

 

• The activity doesn't add to the stress of studying - and if there is too much to do one month, there is no problem getting someone else to step in
• It's a creative activity that can be therapeutic in itself