Positive Enterprise has launched its latest search for the best young business brains across Furness and West Cumbria, offering successful applicants £1,000 in funding along with mentoring and practical support. The scheme, run by Cumbria Community Foundation and the Centre for Leadership Performance, helps people aged 14 to 25 turn their business ideas into real ventures. After three successful years in West Cumbria, the programme is expanding into Furness for the first time, with up to 20 places available when the next intake starts in January 2026.
Participants will receive six months of mentoring from an experienced businessperson as well as workshops and coaching in essential skills including communication and leadership. The £1,000 grant can be used for equipment, marketing or other start up needs. Eligible young people must live in the former districts of Allerdale, Copeland and Barrow, or in the wards of Broughton & Coniston, Furness Peninsula, Ulverston East or Ulverston West. The initiative is supported by Sellafield Ltd through Transforming West Cumbria, Thomas Graham & Sons Ltd, the Printers Inc Social Mobility Fund and individual donors including Jan Ambler.
Previous rounds of the programme have already nurtured a range of new ventures including sustainable clothing brands, craft producers, a football coaching business and self care packages designed for people undergoing chemotherapy. Among those inspired this year is eighteen year old Thomas Henderson from Cockermouth, who joined with his garden maintenance business. Reflecting on his experience, he said: “The best thing about Positive Enterprise has been the opportunity to take an idea I care about and turn it into something real. Being surrounded by other ambitious young people and getting the chance to pitch my project made it feel like my ideas actually mattered. It gave me a huge confidence boost. Before this, I saw business mostly as a way to make money. Now I realise how powerful it can be as a tool for solving real problems and helping people. It’s shown me that business and social impact don’t have to be separate – they can actually work hand in hand.”
The expansion of Positive Enterprise has been welcomed by programme partners. Rhianna Smith, Project Lead at the Centre for Leadership Performance, said: “We are thrilled to celebrate the fourth year of Positive Enterprise, and especially proud to be extending the programme for the first time into both West Cumbria and Furness. At the Centre for Leadership Performance, supporting young entrepreneurs is a core part of our wider strategy to build enterprise skills, leadership and confidence at every age. Seeing these young people turn their ideas into real ventures is inspiring, and we’re delighted to be part of the next generation’s entrepreneurial journey.”
Mentors play a vital role in the programme’s success. Georgina Goulding, owner of Bakes by Gina and Beach Road Bakehouse in St Bees, volunteered as a mentor this year and has also taken on a previous participant as a business administration apprentice. She said she would highly recommend getting involved, adding: “It has been absolutely amazing taking part in this scheme and I really hope to be involved again in the future.”
Annalee Holliday, Head of Grants Practice & Programmes at Cumbria Community Foundation, urged young people and prospective mentors to come forward. She said: “The programme has a fantastic track record of helping young people fulfil their dreams and turn their business ideas into a reality. We’re so grateful for the support of our funders and mentors giving up their time to share their skills and experience.”
Two online information sessions will take place on Wednesday 26 November and Wednesday 10 December from 5.30pm to 6.30pm for anyone interested. Applications close at 5pm on Friday 9 January 2025.
