Youth Enterprise Initiatives

The Trust co-ordinates Shell's LiveWIRE programme for young people, on behalf of the Consortium of East Lancashire's Enterprise Agencies, and works closely with the Prince's Trust and Young Enterprise, which provide expertise and support to young entrepreneurs.

Shell LiveWIRE encourages young people aged 16-30, and those to whom they turn for advice and guidance, to see starting a business as a desirable and viable career option. Joanne Evans, through the Hyndburn Enterprise Trust, co-ordinates the Shell LiveWIRE programme in East Lancashire. Any referrals received will be passed on to the enquirers' local Enterprise Agency so that an appointment can be made for them to see a Business Adviser. Candidates for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards are also selected and guided through each stage of the competition. A ceremony is held and the winner of the East Lancashire competition is awarded £500 and chosen to go on to represent our area at the next stage, the North West Regional Finals, where a prize of £1000 is offered. Regional finalists later compete for the top award of £10,000. Check out the winners of the East Lancashire and NorthWest awards for 2004.

For further information please contact Joanne Evans at the Hyndburn Enterprise Trust on 01254 600625 or browse the Shell LiveWIRE website: www.shell-livewire.org.uk

Young Enterprise offers young people between the ages of 15 and 19 an exciting way of developing their enterprise skills and making the difficult transition from school to work. It does this by providing them with the opportunity to form and run their own companies, with real problems, real solutions, real failures and real successes. Not only do they obtain first hand experience of how a business operates but they also develop skills such as communication, target setting and teamwork.

For more information about Young Enterprise, contact the secretary, Jo Evans, on 01254 600625. The Young Enterprise website can give you a further insight into what the national programme involves: www.young-enterprise.org.uk

The Prince's Trust gives financial support to young people aged 18-30 who are either unemployed or under employed and have little money and so are unable to raise the necessary cash needed to start their own business. The entrepreneur is required to complete a Business Plan, which they do with the help of the Hyndburn Enterprise Trust, which is put before a monthly panel who assess its eligibility for grant assistance. In addition, the Prince's Trust can also help young people develop confidence, learn new skills and get into work.

Jo Evans co-ordinates the work of Prince's Trust across Hyndburn & Ribble Valley and will refer any potential candidates to the local office where they will start the application process for financial assistance.  For further information please contact her or visit the Prince's Trust website: www.princes-trust.org.uk