Young women and mothers considering self employment in the Chichester region will soon benefit from a positive new campaign to be launched by Chichester Community Development Trust (CCDT), funded by organisations including The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, and West Sussex County Council. ‘Discover Your Future’ is a new scheme that will be supporting 20 women each year to find the confidence and collaterals needed to better support themselves into work, through hands on mentoring and professional skills-training made available free of charge.
‘Discover Your Future’ was inspired by the opportunities provided by the beautifully, newly refurbished office space created by the CCDT at Graylingwell Park’s Water Tower, as a co-working hub. CCDT wanted women, that may otherwise feel marginalised, to feel able to use the space to improve their employability and receive the vital coaching of experts often needed to enter in or return to the workplace in an aspirational way.
“Many women can feel intimidated by workplaces, and that is an unacceptable situation. This can result in some not considering self-employment, in spite of a desire to do so, and others not to follow ambitious paths they are capable of, as the support is not there to assist and guide them. We hope to change that, with the assistance of organisations, individuals and companies across the region.”
Clare de Bathe, Director of CCDT.
CCDT have committed to providing access to the state-of-the-art co-working hub in the Water Tower, and the provision of mentoring in fields ranging from administration and design to marketing. The funding to run and manage this campaign was received from a successful bid to The National Lottery Community Fund, and from the ongoing support from West Sussex County Council.
To make Discover Your Future a complete success CCDT is looking for additional in-kind support from local businesses with expertise in finance, marketing, confidence building, web development and business start-up skills to provide advice and mentoring. One company to have already volunteered their services is recently launched Rume 2, the co-working space, who will provide free spaces to monthly practical sessions designed to support people into work, such as making the right decisions to achieve your goals.
CCDT will work closely with Chichester District Council’s choose work and self-employment teams to identify women currently out of work that could most benefit from the support available. Women who feel that they would be applicable to such support are invited to contact the CCDT directly.
To find out more about the campaign or to volunteer in-kind services individuals and businesses are invited to contact CCDT at clare@chichestercdt.org.uk.
Notes to editor
Chichester Community Development Trust (CCDT) trades for social purpose, and delivers social and environmental benefits to the local community:
• Owns, manage and maintain land and community buildings
• Develops and encourages, fosters and promotes the physical, economic and social development and regeneration of the area
• Protects/ conserves the environment
• Creates training and employment opportunities
• Advances education, training and retraining
• Promotes public safety and the prevention of crime
• Develops the capacity and skills of the members of the community
About The National Lottery Community Fund
We are the largest community funder in the UK – we’re proud to award money raised by National Lottery players to communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Since June 2004, we have made over 200,000 grants and awarded over £9 billion to projects that have benefited millions of people.
We are passionate about funding great ideas that matter to communities and make a difference to people’s lives. At the heart of everything we do is the belief that when people are in the lead, communities thrive. Thanks to the support of National Lottery players, our funding is open to everyone. We’re privileged to be able to work with the smallest of local groups right up to UK-wide charities, enabling people and communities to bring their ambitions to life.
Further information
For further information, images and interviews please contact Clare de Bathe at CCDT on 01243 537526 and clare@chichestercdt.org.uk minor-far
