New local trust helps students prepare for world of work

Enterprise Cooperative Trust brings Enfield’s businesses and education providers together

The trustees of Enterprise Cooperative Trust attended the group's official launch at Building Bloqs, with (from left) Sophie Castell, Carl Boyd from Conel, Emma Rigby from Lover Your Doorstep, Peter Batt from the Co-operative Group, Enfield mayor Doris Jiagge, James Carrick, Sue Tripp and Renee Flourentzou from West Lea School, plus chair Janet Leach MBE — Attending Enterprise Cooperative Trust’s official launch at Building Bloqs were (from left) trustee Sophie Castell, trustee Carl Boyd from Conel, trustee Emma Rigby from Lover Your Doorstep, trustee Peter Batt from the Co-operative Group, Enfield mayor Doris Jiagge, trustees James Carrick, Sue Tripp and Renee Flourentzou from West Lea School, plus trust chair Janet Leach MBE

A new not-for-profit co-operative trust established to help provide young people with “work-ready skills” has been officially launched in Enfield.

The Enterprise Cooperative Trust celebrated its official launch with people from local schools, community organisations and businesses, emphasising its aim to bring the community together to support young people.

The trust has been established by influential local partners including West Lea School, Enfield Council, Learning for Life Charity, Co-operative Schools Network, Love Your Doorstep, Chickenshed Theatre and College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (Conel).

It is hoped the trust will act as a catalyst enabling these institutions to work together to ensure Enfield’s young people are equipped with the personal, professional and social skills needed to gain employment, understand their role in the community, and be “the very best they can be”.

Enfield mayor Doris Jiagge attended the official launch event and said: “It is wonderful that the trust is helping to improve education and life opportunities for all children and young people in the local community.

“The fact that each child is being celebrated and helped to fulfil their potential is commendable and I am very proud to be part of that here today.”

Trustees include notable local figures such as chair Janet Leach MBE, who has 42 years of experience working in the special education needs sector; Renee Flourentzou, director of education at West Lea School; and Peter Batt, a divisional managing director for Co-operative Group.

Businesses that have already benefited from the trust’s work were also at the launch, as well as young people who have received valuable work experience and training.

As part of its role with the trust, local business networking firm Love your Doorstep will be organising a networking event later this year to help young people connect with employers and local businesses and to explore career possibilities, promoting and supporting their aspirations.

Workshops for young people will also be held at Edmonton’s manufacturing workspace provider Building Bloqs.

For more information about Enterprise Cooperative Trust:
Visit enterprisecooperativetrust.org.uk

We know times are hard

If you are struggling to make ends meet, we are keeping Enfield Dispatch free because of you. We know that many people cannot afford to pay for local news, so this website and our print paper will always be free. If you can afford to, and value what we do, a small monthly, yearly or one-off contribution can support us to keep providing quality journalism for Enfield to our community for free.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.