We are delighted to announce that Tree Shepherd has been commissioned to run the office of Social Entrepreneur in Residence for the London Borough of Lambeth.
Colin Crooks – Lambeth’s new Social Entrepreneur in Residence
The role puts into practice Tree Shepherd’s programme to tackle unemployment and create new jobs. The Social Entrepreneur in Residence will implement a range of initiatives to catalyse job creation in the borough, including:
- training budding entrepreneurs in business skills and helping them to turn their business ideas into businesses
- matching local people with practical business experience with early-stage entrepreneurs to offer mentoring support, helping them get their ideas off the ground
- building local enterprise networks based on mutual support and trust, enabling potential sharing of resources, such as premises, apprentices and equipment within the local business community
- brokering opportunities for procurement between larger businesses across Lambeth and local SMEs and social enterprises
- providing information and support to local start-ups to help them attract funding and investment in order to scale up
Chief Executive of Lambeth Council, Derrick Anderson CBE, welcomed the appointment:
“As part of our drive to extend our cooperative ambitions we want to help local residents grow businesses and community organisations. We recognise, though that small organisations and businesses need support and encouragement. That’s why we’re delighted to be able to support the idea of an in-house social entrepreneur expert for Lambeth. We believe that through this initiative we will help people across Lambeth to grow businesses and create more jobs for Lambeth’s residents.”
Deputy Leader of Lambeth Council, Councillor Jackie Meldrum, said:
“I really believe that in order to lead a local economic recovery in Lambeth we need to support more residents to achieve their aspirations through creating new businesses and social enterprises, as we know that local businesses create local jobs and employment. I believe that there is so much talent in the borough, and in appointing Colin Crooks as Social Entrepreneur in Residence I am confident that we can help it flourish.”
Since being appointed to the role, Tree Shepherd has already begun a “Start your Own Business” course at High Trees Community Centre in Tulse Hill, funded by Lambeth Adult Learning Services. It has attracted students from across the borough and from all walks of life and all age ranges, many of them unemployed. The course was over-subscribed and is extremely well-attended, and further courses will be announced very soon.
To find out more and to find out how you can get involved, visit our Lambeth page.
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