| The following extract from Kaleidoscope's Annual Report for 2005-2006 features Global Links Initiative and the importance of working in partnership globally for worldwide publicity and access to new ideas. Kaleidoscope offers a range of drug services in Gwent, Wales and Kingston, South West London and across the UK in partnership with other organisations.
Global Links The project has worked closely with GLI (Global Links Initiative), with Martin Blakebrough being on the advisory board. The support of GLI has enabled visits to take place to Japan, China and India. The idea of GLI is to spread good stories of social enterprise on a global basis which support and encourage like-minded people and organisations. The visits for Kaleidoscope has enabled the project to not only be featured in the Chinese Business Review but enabled us to re-connect with partner agencies in India. One of the practical outcomes of a recent visit to India is that we now get all our paper and business cards from Saraha, a project supporting drug users and people with HIV/AIDS. A feasibility study in setting up a shop stocking goods from our Indian partners is also being investigated. Partnership working enables one to look at better ways of working and one positive idea from SHARAN - another agency assisting chaotic drug users in India - is to set up micro finance, or credit unions, for the partners of drug users. We are looking to set up a pilot project in Tredegar (Wales) so that families of drug dependents with a stable partner can have a safer way of saving for the demands of family living. |