CanDo Enterprises
CanDo Enterprises
We are a Dublin-based social enterprise that generates meaningful training and employment in the vision impairment community. Each product we make continues a tradition of blind craft that has taken place on our Drumcondra Castle campus since the 1870s.
Our Vision
We have a vision of the future where every person without exception has access to the good things in life. This includes professional opportunities, housing, healthcare, financial stability, social connection, creativity and rest. We don’t see why disability should leave people with less – that’s why every decision we make upholds principles of equality and integration for our team members and our broader community.
We work for good, bringing people’s lives into focus. When you support us, you’re contributing to the creation of a more inclusive Irish society.
Our People
We believe that every person is capable of good. Founded on strong principles of equality and mutual social empowerment, CanDo enterprises was established to address the lack of practical training and employment opportunities for vision impaired and blind people. Our blended team includes five fantastic people who have been welcomed into the labour market through the support of the Community Services Programme, funded by the Department of Community and Rural Development.
Our Environment
We understand that people and the environment are inexorably linked, and that what we do impacts upon everyone around us. That’s why we choose to work with natural and ethically-sourced ingredients, and select only recyclable or reusable packaging options. We keep our carbon footprint low and are working to offer product refills in the coming months.
Our Marketing
Our trainees and staff feature in our brochures and social media only if they want to, and with no pretence. We celebrate the uniqueness of everyone we work with and don’t feel a need to show a tailored and “best” version of ourselves. Authenticity is what matters to us when it comes to showing who we are. We understand that there is far more to the world than meets the eye.
Our Logo
Our CanDo logo features the braille that some of our team use. It’s a small reminder of how we all read the world differently and should include one another when it comes to accessible design. One of our goals for the future is to include braille on the packaging for the entire product range.
Our Enterprises
Soap & Skincare - Naturally Kind. Purposefully Made.
We create handcrafted soaps and skincare products using natural ingredients that are gentle on your skin and the planet. You can find us online, in local retailers or pop into our shop in the ChildVision campus and meet the makers. We offer a white label service to companies who would like a high-quality ethical product with their own branding. Contact us for more information cando@childvision.ie
Confidential Shredding – Secure. Sustainable. Socially Driven.
We offer confidential shredding services including one-off clear-outs and regular scheduled collections for businesses and individuals. Contact us for a competitive quote.
Weaving and Textiles – Crafted with Care. Woven with Purpose.
We produce beautiful handwoven rugs, seat cushions, scarves, and wash cloths.
As a social enterprise, we empower individuals through meaningful em
Horticulture – where people and plants thrive together.
Horticulture and working in a garden centre provide valuable skills in practical plant care, teamwork, and responsibility, while encouraging a sense of accomplishment through tangible results.
In a social enterprise setting, this work not only supports young adults with visual impairments and additional needs to gain new skills and but also promotes independence, self-esteem, and inclusion.
The education and hands-on experience they gain, including some progressing to third-level study at the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, empower them to pursue further opportunities in horticulture and ensures they will have a healthy and enjoyable hobby that they can continue to take part in throughout their lives.
Our Team
We’re a uniquely blended team of vision impaired craftspeople and creative leads. Together we bring out the best in each other’s talents and explore the inclusive employment space. Our backgrounds and experiences are varied and we find that this brings a richness to our collaboration that most teams don’t encounter. Disability is something that brings a sense of variety and perspective to our work, and we wouldn’t be the same without it!
Gill
Gill is our longest-working and most experienced enterprise worker. Gill started our “Towards Independence” programme in 1998, and after a few years dabbling in other services she made a comeback and has been working in our garden centre and charity shop for the past eleven years. Gill has been an absolute pleasure to incorporate in our new enterprise structure and is always enthusiastic to help out and chat with anyone she meets.
Sam
Sam was our very first CSP funded employee, starting with us in April 2024. Sam is someone who has an amazing amount of community experience – he has had work placements and volunteering stints in libraries, stationary shops, supermarkets, charity shops…the list goes on. He’s the perfect example of someone who had all the skills for paid employment, he just needed the opportunity! We can’t wait to see where this journey takes him.
Orlaith
Orlaith is a graduate of one of our later independence training courses, then called “Vocational Training”. Graduating in 2016, Orlaith went on to further education before applying for her job here in the enterprises. Orlaith is extremely passionate about her woven goods (“I put my heart and soul into this!”) and loves a good adventure audiobook while she is working.
Louis
The newest member of our team! Louis graduated from our “Vocational Training” programme in 2014 before going on to further education. In 2022 Louis completed a work placement with us in Business Administration and he’s a self-professed Excel whiz. Louis has put his excellent maths skills to good use in the most unlikely of settings – scarf making! Louis crafts the most exquisite merino wool scarves, using his mathematical mind to ensure each stripe is in the correct spot.
Sophie
Passionate about all things people, Sophie believes that the world would be boring if everyone were the same. She first came across vision impairment while doing a Masters in Cognitive Neuroscience of Language, and now she’s more interested in people than brains. She’s intrigued by how humans treat each other and loves the idea that we can create ethical, fair and wholesome pockets of society if we want to.
Jasmine
Jasmine is the newest member of the team. A past pupil of St Josephs’ Primary School for the Visually Impaired, Jasmine holds a degree in Community and Youth Work. Jasmine will ensure that all of the team continue to develop their skills through practical and accredited training, while helping us to scale our business and spread the message that disability does not mean inability.
A note about our prices
We are not out to make a fortune. We are out to change how the world sees us. These are two very different things – and you’ll see that reflected in our prices.
We deliberately structure our pricing so that our products can reach the greatest number of people, for a maximum human impact across all socioeconomic groups. That’s because the issue at the heart of our business – visual impairment and blindness – affects all. We care to include everyone in our world
Work with us
We love partnering with like-minded individuals and organisations to spark ideas, share skills, and make meaningful impact.
Get in touch to explore how we can work together to create something wonderful.
Community Services Programme
This is a much sought after fund, managed by Pobal and supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development. It will allow CanDo Enterprises to recruit a social enterprise manager and to create paid positions for people with vision impairment. These positions will be broken down into five or six part-time jobs so that we can support as many people as possible to enter the labour force.
There are specific milestones attached to the grant that include a undertaking a training needs analysis, providing accredited training as well as enterprise specific milestones, to increase our retailer network, install a refilling station and engage in business supports provided by Pobal.
