Happy Smiles Training is a locally-led social enterprise, made up of over 90% of disabled people and are also over 80% women-led. We were co-founded by a local disabled person in 2019, to address the undervaluing of disabled people and challenge the stigma often attached to disabled people. We empower local disabled people to create and lead positive social change, by using their lived experiences to deliver inclusive training and projects to schools, community groups and businesses. Here is some of our work in action (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NbkDXIAvmY).

Since starting with nothing in 2019, we have delivered training and projects to over 20,000 people, working with global brands such as Levi’s and Manchester United.

We have received recognition and support from national disabled and non-disabled leaders, including our patron Isaac Harvey MBE, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Wigan MP Lisa Nandy.

We are currently on the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list – a list of the most influential disabled people and organisations in the UK, and last year were invited to a Coronation Garden Party by HM The King in recognition of our impact.

This is showcased in quotes from our workforce, who have said:

“I used to have multiple daily seizures but since working with Happy Smiles, have had almost none, because I have something meaningful to do that I believe in”.

“The past 18 months with Happy Smiles has been the best time of my life”.

“My disability used to be the worst part of my life and now it is the best, thanks to Happy Smiles”.

This impact comes through daily hard work from a micro-enterprise that consists largely of volunteers, who believe in the change we are creating.