SEEK Project – New Applications Welcome

As 2017 is ending, so is the first year of training for our SEEK Project participants.   The Project will run for a further 2 years with a new intake in March 2018 and 2019, whilst still supporting our original trainees as they embark on starting and running their own social enterprises.  Funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund, participants will gain access to a £500 start-up fund, workshops and training; a mentor matched to their needs; opportunities to shadow social enterprise CEOs and Managers and build the connections they need to make their business a success.

Directed at the long-term unemployed and economically inactive, this scheme is open to all Croydon residents who have a vision to improve the Borough with their concepts, enthusiasm and acumen.  Our Partners in other parts of the Coast to Capital region have been working with trainees in their own areas, and ultimately bring all students together to share their capabilities and ideas.  The “Class of 2018” will have the added bonus of drawing on the experiences of those who took part in 2017.

To enable prospective applicants to find out more about SEEK, we will be running two seminars in January and February 2018 in the local area.  More details will shortly be posted on our  dedicated website page at:

https://startupcroydon.co.uk/training-and-mentoring/seek-project/

We aim to recruit around 15 people onto the programme, all of whom will receive the first stage of dedicated training.  After a pitching process, we will then select at least 5 participants to follow through to the end of the scheme.  For those who are not selected, we are still able to offer continued support, with the added advantage of an enhanced element to their CV.  Many of those who originally joined us in this project have either started their social enterprise or found full-time employment.