The event was a chance and an opportunity to discuss how local Businesses might work together to ensure we are developing the necessary skills in preparing young adults for the world of work.

Suffolk One is interested in local businesses who can become involved by offering students with: Work Experience,Organise apprenticeships,strengthen business links and share knowledge and experience with students.

If your business can offer any of the above then the College can be contacted at www.suffolkone.org

Dimension Eighty Eight looks forward to working with Suffolk One.

What is Mentoring?

Mentoring is to support and encourage people to manage their own learning in order that they may maximise their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance and become the person they want to be.

Mentoring is a powerful personal development and empowerment tool and it is an effective way of helping people to progress in their business.

Mentoring is not:

• Business advice
• Counselling
• Interim management
• A quick chat
• Telling a mentee what to do
• Coaching
• Offering one solution

Enterprise Engagement Programme Members, through the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, can ask for a Mentor to assist them with their new business or enterprise. It is well worth investing the time from both the Mentee and the Mentor perspectives as both parties really get the benefit from the experience.

If you have a Mentor but are not using them, then in my opinion, as a Small Business owner you have lost a valuable empowerment business tool.

Mentors can really help your business as they rely upon having had similar experiences to understand a mentee and their business issues.

It was a great day for businesses to showcase their business services and for visitors to Network. Group sessions were also available and covered Branding,60 second Networking and Social Media. Michael Coe took part in the branding seminar held by Method Creative, hosted by Kirsten Corrigan.

Michael Coe said “The session was very informative and Kirsten is very passionate about her business and creative marketing. The session was filled with fun exercises and activities to get delegates to really focus on Brand Awareness and how important it is to all sizes of businesses,including SME’s. I certainly left knowing more about Brands and branding than before I went in. The session was fun and made me think about my business brand.”

Both Chambers of Commerce had stands and representatives available to speak to business owners and visitors a like. It was a really excellent show.

The meeting was hosted by Catch 22 a charity who help young people who have been in care to find stable and suitable work. The young adults who Catch 22 have helped were also on hand and gave excellent presentations of how they have tried to help themselves; to find work and go the extra mile to improve on qualifications and interview techniques. They were really inspiring as individuals who have had to over come many barriers to the world of work and business.

From Care 2 Work is a national initiative funded by the Department for Education which supports young people leaving care into employability and employment opportunities in England.  Care 2 Work wants to work with employers who can support young people leaving care to build their employability skills;to inspire and awaken their aspirations.

How Employers and your organisation can help.

Your organisation can help by offering:

• Office / Site visits
• Workshops
• Pre-employment training
• Mentoring
• Work Shadowing
• Work tasters
• Work Experience placements
• Pre - apprenticeships
• Employment

If you feel that you could make a difference to the lives of young people then contact:

Barry Cullen

Employer Relations Manager

Barry.Cullen@Catch-22.org.uk

07545 422606

www.leavingcare.org

Working together we can change the lives of others.