An-Viet Foundation

Outreach is a one-to-one activity with existing clients as well as a technique for promotional and business advice dissemination by means of fairs, events and surgeries. The community organisation’s Management Committee is also important in spreading the word about business advice and self-employment as an option for the organisation’s clients. Personal safety should be considered when undertaking outreach, particularly when visiting clients’ homes – always inform your organisation where you are going, whom you are visiting and leave a contact number where you can be reached. For more information about personal safety for lone workers, please see the Suzy Lamplugh Trust website at www.suzylamplugh.org.

The An-Viet Foundation (An-Viet) uses outreach as an essential part of their business advice, and it forms part of the organisation’s contract with clients. Outreach enables the Business Adviser to develop rapport and a relationship of trust with clients over a period of time.

An-Viet follows up existing clients using outreach, by visiting their homes or their place of business. Clients often do not have time to come to the An-Viet office. Outreach visits enable An-Viet to observe clients’ progress and offer business support in areas where they are struggling.

An-Viet has found local libraries to be a great way to promote and disseminate business advice to local people. The Business Adviser attends one of three libraries every week. An-Viet is able to use these sessions to raise its profile as a community organisation, to connect with Vietnamese people who are interested in developing a business and to encourage the Vietnamese community to visit the local library. An-Viet tested different arrangements for the timing and day for the sessions until the best ones were established.

You can contact: Huong Dao, An-Viet Foundation, 12-14 Englefield Road, Islington, N1 4LS. Tel. 020 7275 7780, Email anviet@anviet.org and website www.anvietuk.org.