Preparing for Independence: Caitriona Watters’ Inclusive Innovation
How the EMPOWER programme helped transform 20 years of disability sector experience into Prepare Me social enterprise
Caitriona Watters is revolutionizing support for people with additional needs through Prepare Me – a groundbreaking social enterprise that creates essential resources for children and adults navigating everyday activities. After two decades in the disability sector, she identified a critical gap and built the solution.
What Caitriona Achieved Through EMPOWER
Prepare Me now produces bespoke educational products including visual schedules, teaching video models, and multi-sensory resource packs tailored to individual needs. The enterprise specializes in helping people with additional needs manage:
Doctor and dentist appointments
Hospital visits and medical procedures
Public transport navigation
Everyday activity preparation
Her video-based teaching models transform complex activities into manageable, understandable steps that reduce anxiety and build confidence.
Real EMPOWER Programme Benefits
The EMPOWER programme was transformative for Caitriona’s entrepreneurial journey:
- Market research insights that validated her business concept
- Consumer-focused planning skills for sustainable growth
- Research methodology to prove product effectiveness
- Peer support network that provided ongoing encouragement
- Business confidence to launch her social enterprise
The EMPOWER
Difference
“Empower was fantastic,” Caitriona shares. “The biggest takeaway was the support of my peers.” For social entrepreneurs, the programme provides essential validation that their mission-driven businesses can create both social impact and sustainable income.
Caitriona’s work directly addresses the frustration many families face when simple activities go wrong due to lack of preparation, creating tools that empower independence and reduce stress.