PAGE 18 | TRANSFORMING WEST CUMBRIA TRANSFORMING WEST CUMBRIA | PAGE 19 Unlocking entrepreneurial spirit Positive Enterprise is a six-month programme for young people who have a social business idea and want to make it a reality. Launched in 2022, youngsters aged 14 to 25 from West Cumbria are invited to pitch ideas for businesses. Seven winners were selected in the first year and received £1,000 to spend on equipment, materials, stock or services to launch their enterprise. The participants are matched with a mentor to help put their plan into action. They are also supported by the Centre for Leadership Performance through coaching, mentoring and workshops to develop their ideas and themselves as leaders. The seven young people who took part in Positive Enterprise in 2023 saw their achievements recognised at a celebratory event at Lakes College, Workington, to mark the end of the first year of the programme. Aiden Thompson, 15, from Whitehaven, collected an extra £1,000 after judges were impressed by his presentation. His business, insight into how to sell my idea. I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do that.” Three of the participants could not attend the event in person but told their stories through pre-recorded presentations. Josh Coombe, 15, from Whitehaven, used his grant to buy printing equipment for JC Stitch and Style, which offer fully customisable clothing and mugs. Luke Eilbeck, 18, of Wigton, has set up Mad4Kit selling vintage secondhand football memorabilia while studying for his A-levels. Samantha McKenzie, of Nuclear Waste Services, thought it money well spent. She said: “One of the priorities for the LLWR as a funder is to help young people to develop their skills and knowledge and to be the best they can be. Every single one of them has done that.” West Cumbrian Entrepreneurs to sell the products and explore potential opportunities.” Rachel McCartney, 24, of Holmrook, set up McCartney Sustainable Solutions to recycle food waste into compost, fertiliser and biofuel, and she is in the process of raising £1.2m. She said: “In Cumbria, we are paying £100 a tonne to dispose of food waste in landfill. I thought there were better ways of dealing with it.” Lennon Glass, 15, from Cockermouth, trades as Artify making customised and bespoke wool rugs. He said: “I do schoolwork on weekdays and make rugs at the weekend. All the rugs are from UK-sourced wool and profits go to the Women's Institute.” Bethany Goodall, 24, of Workington, established the Lake District Academy of Theatre Arts to provide affordable musical theatre workshops. She said: “Having one-toone sessions with a mentor gave me a real The young people who took part in Positive Enterprise, at Lakes College to recognise the end of the programme's first year The Positive Enterprise scheme empowers aspiring young entrepreneurs in West Cumbria to have their ideas and ambitions realised The programme is funded by Sellafield Ltd through Transforming West Cumbria, Cumbrian property developer Brian Scowcroft, LLWR, Well Whitehaven, Morgan Sindall and Kaefer. Cumbria Coastal Crafts, produces framed pebble art and customised laser engraved products. He said: “I saw a gap in the market and it has been very successful. Positive Enterprise helped me take it from an idea to a business. The grant paid for equipment and the mentoring helped me find the best ways Started November 2022 7 young entrepreneurs supported over six months £8,000 awarded 7 mentors recruited
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