Help For Merton Youngsters With Ambition

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Funding for new youth enterprise programme

One hundred young entrepreneurs in South West London will be helped to turn their ambition into reality, thanks to a new Merton Chamber of Commerce programme.

The 'Ambition' scheme will receive funding from the RBS's Inspiring Youth Enterprise initiative after it was one of 26 shortlisted applications from 250 applications across the country.

The announcement followed a public vote earlier this year.

Diana Sterck (left), CEO of Merton Chamber, said she was delighted the initiative would help young people consider self-employment and business start-up as a real career choice. She believes the traditional approach to supporting people to set up in business needs to be adapted for young people.

She said: "We want to set up a netwrok that is for them, led by them, works for them and supports them in developing their business ideas and to go on to start up and establish a business.

"The programme will include setting up a Board of Directors, running networking events and connecting and sharing views and experiences through social media and blogging.

"Merton Chamber of Commerce will directly support Ambition through facilitation of their programme, free membership subscriptions to help these fledgling businesses reach their market, connections with business leaders who will act as mentors, and links with other sources of support for 13 to 30 year olds".

To find out more, call Merton Chamber of Commerce on 0208-944-5501 or email info@mertonchamber.co.uk.

December 24, 2012