Jan Brookes runs Isle Access, a not for profit community interest company.
“We want to encourage and improve accessibility on the Island, for the benefit of residents and tourists,” Jan says. “The knock on effect will be more money coming in to the local economy, boosting employment prospects.”
Jan has combined her previous experience working as a nurse with her knowledge gained from her degree, to identify a need for improving access for people with many different needs, within the tourism and leisure sectors.
“I wanted to make the Isle of Wight a better place. It isn’t just people with disabilities. It could be visitors with heavy suitcases, young families with pushchairs, cyclists looking to store their bikes. Lots of people are currently having to trawl the internet for information and we want to make things a lot easier.”
With support from the Big Lottery Jan is developing a searchable database with all the relevant information for a variety of access needs.
Jan’s one of three directors of Isle Access. A year ago Jan attended a Business Start Up course at the Isle of Wight Chamber which gave her lots of useful information about finances. Jan has also received regular, informal mentoring as part of the Over 50s Start-up programme.
“I’ve had a lot of support and help from Fiona. She’s provided ‘another ear”, listening and making suggestions. I’ve been able to make lots of new connections which has helped me to progress the organisation. It brought me into contact with people who offered new perspectives and it changed the way I viewed the business. Other people’s views are very important and getting a new idea of the ground is always hard work. It’s a collaborative thing and I’m looking forward to working with lots of other businesses.”
