Latest News

April 2008

WELCOME BOOST FOR PROJECT

The Coalfields RegenerationTrust which supports initiatives to regenerate former coalmining communities has recently approved further funding of £46,000 to continue the Enterprise Learning by Doing project for another year.

Increased funding has also been given to expand the project to include more areas of the County.

Nearly 100 young people have taken part in the programme since it was launched only eighteen months ago.

The youngsters have an opportunity to run a Young Enterprise company in their own time based at a community location near where they live.

One such company is Teen Venture which has been running for over nine months. The group of youngsters aged 15-16 who are based at the Glynneath Training Centre in the Neath Valley have organised a number of activities for the community including a Fun Day last summer. They have also organised events for local primary schoolchildren such as a Halloween party and a Film Night.

Each group is supported by tutors and facilitators.

The Trust is delighted with the success of the project.

“Young people gain valuable skills which prepares them for the world of work.” says the Trust’s Regeneration Manager for Wales, Alun Taylor.

“We are delighted to give further and additional support to the project.” added Mr. Taylor “It exemplifies much of what the Trust is aiming to achieve in renewing and regenerating former Coalfields areas.”

The year ahead will see the project developed in more areas of Neath Port Talbot.

“Enterprise Learning by Doing is unique to Neath Port Talbot. It has been a marvellous opportunity for young people who have more than lived up to the challenge. We are looking forward to expanding the initiative into other areas.” says Project Co-ordinator, Lynette Grey

November 2007

YOUNG PEOPLE RAISE MONEY FOR CHILDREN IN NEED

Teen Venture, the Enterprise Learning by Doing group based in the Glynneath Training Centre have donated £100 to the Children in Need campaign.

They recently ran a Halloween Disco for local primary school children. It was held in Glynneath Town Hall and the children were able to enjoy dressing up, games and competitions and Halloween party food.

The group made £100 from the event and decided that they would donate the money to the annual Children in Need appeal.

Pictured are members of Teen Venture (from l to r) Ruth Jones, Eleri Evans, Llinos Williams, Louise Evans, Meg O’Reilly and Rhiannon Jones.

The company decided when they set up that they would organise community events for local residents.

“We felt that we should have more activities in the area, particularly for young people.” said company member, Louise Evans.

“We are delighted that we are able to benefit our community whilst at the same time, donating money to a good cause. We are looking forward to seeing our donation named on the Children in Need programme on Friday night.”

Since they were set up in July, Teen Venture has been very active organising activities.

In August, they had a very successful Community Fun Day held at the local rugby club.

“In spite of the weather which must have been the wettest day in the summer, everyone had a great time.” added Eleri Evans

The group also learn business skills like marketing and managing money.

Glynneath Training Centre’s Malcolm Scott and tutor Kathleen Cleave who support the young people, feel that in a short space of time, the group has achieved a lot.

“They do all the organising themselves and manage their bank account. They spent a lot of their school holidays organising the Community Fun Day. It is hard work for them but they are finding it very rewarding.” Said Mr. Scott

Teen Venture can be contacted at the Glynneath Training Centre on (01639) 721772.

August 2007

DV Enterprises cook up success

Members of DV Enterprises based at the Dove Workshop in the Dulais Workshop have been hard at work during their school holidays preparing for a new project.

The group will be organising Food and Film nights for local young people during the winter months.

Youngsters will be able to come along to Dove and have a meal with their friends in the Centre’s cafeteria and then enjoy a film.

In preparation for the events, DV Enterprise members have been learning new cookery and hygiene skills.

The group aged 14-15 first attended a one day course to obtain a Basic Food Hygiene qualification.

They then had to practise and improve their cookery skills. A cookery session was held during August on how to make pizza and pasta Bolognese.

They also had to work out how to price the meals which they will sell at the Food and Film events.

Tutor Glynis Howell feels that they have made good use out of their school holiday time.

“Whilst primarily Enterprise Learning by Doing is all about learning business skills,they had to pass a Basic Food Hygiene exam which was quite a challenge but they now have that as an extra qualification and they have also realised how important hygiene is when preparing meals.”

“In addition, they have taken the first steps to learn how to cook affordable nourishing meals for themselves. ”

July 2007

Youngsters give back to Community
A local youth club is benefiting from the activities of Enterprise Learning by Doing company, Gwynfi Enterprise.

Gwynfi Enterprise was set up in Blaengwynfi in the Upper Afan Valley last autumn. Since then, the group of youngsters aged 15-16 have undertaken a range of activities in the community, the biggest of which was a Fashion and Music event.

They decided to donate proceeds to the Blaengwynfi Boys’ and Girls’ Club. The Club are using the money to help fund a trip to Alton Towers for all club members.

Blaengwynfi Boys’ and Girls’ Club Leader, Gary Thomas, accepted the cheque for £400 from some of the group members.

Managing Director of Gwynfi Enterprise, Jessica Newberry-Wall, said that the group wanted to give something back to their community.

“We are delighted to be able to donate this money to the Club. Organising community activities in our spare time is hard work but we have all really enjoyed it. Being able to support our own youth club is a real bonus.”

20.11.2006

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS FACE THE DRAGON

Aspiring young entrepreneurs from Neath Port Talbot had the opportunity of quizzing one of the UK’s top business people at a recent event organised as part of the Bay in Business Celebration Week

The young people are taking part in the Enterprise Learning by Doing project being run by the Lifelong Learning Service of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council.

The keynote speaker at the event called “Beyond the Den…..Diversification for Profit” was Deborah Meaden, one of the panellists on BBC 2’s highly successful business programme “The Dragon’s Den”.

A successful entrepreneur in her own right, multimillionaire Ms. Meaden gave a talk on her business achievements and passed on her tips for success to an audience of more than 100 local business people.

Four local entrepreneurs from the Swansea Bay area also gave their perspective on how to diversify and make a profit.

The Enterprise Learning by Doing project which is funded by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust is being run in the Valleys areas of Neath Port Talbot. It gives young people aged 14-25 the opportunity to gain business skills by running a real company through the Young Enterprise initiative.

The development of the project which only started in September has already exceeded expectations. Four companies are now operating in the Valleys.

Leader of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Councillor Derek Vaughan is delighted with the way young people have responded to the project.

“This is a pilot programme to improve the skills of young people and help them gain experience of the business world which can help them in whatever career they choose.

“The young people give up their own time to run a company in their communities and I am extremely pleased that so many have come forward in such a short time to participate in the project.”

Representatives from the “The Main Event” in the Upper Amman Valley and “Teen Venture” from Glynneath were able to chat to Ms. Meaden who told them that she had always wanted to be her own boss from a very early age.

Further information on the Enterprise Learning by Doing programme is available from the Project Co-ordinator, Lynette Grey on (01639) 891935 or on the project website www.enterprisenpt.co.uk.

31.10.2006

DV Enterprises - Halloween Event DOVE Banwen

Many congratulations to DV Enterprises who held a Halloween event last night at Dove Workshop for the children and young people of the Dulais Valley.

It was highly successful and profitable! All their hard work has paid off. Thanks also to all who supported them in their first business venture.

28.09.2006

Young People Celebrate New Project

The Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Councillor Derek Vaughan, was on hand to help a group of youngsters from the Dulais Valley celebrate the launch of a ground-breaking initiative aimed at helping young people gain enterprise skills.

Funded by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, the project called “Enterprise Learning by Doing” is targeted at 14-25 year olds in the Valleys areas of Neath Port Talbot.

Under the scheme, groups of young people will be able to run a real business for a period of time. It will give them an opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills and find out what it takes to run a business.

Available in the Upper Amman, Dulais, Neath and Upper Afan valleys, participation is open to young people whether unemployed, in work, in training, in school or college. Particular encouragement is being given to those who are out of work or who have underachieved at school.

No qualifications or previous experience is required and there is no cost involved. Each company set up will be supported by a business mentor and tutor.

The initiative is backed by Young Enterprise, the UK’s leading business and enterprise charity and each business set up will be run using its Team Enterprise model.

The first company, DV Enterprises, has already registered and members of the group were at the launch of the Project in the Dove Workshop in Banwen to celebrate by releasing balloons.

A partnership of public and community development organisations has come together to help develop the project which runs until March 2007.

The Leader of the Council who officially launched the project said “ The Authority is delighted to be leading on this project.”

“There is a lot of latent talent in our Valley communities and this will help to uncover the enterprise potential of our young people.”

“It is part of our long term vision for the Valleys areas where local people are encouraged to set up businesses within their communities.”

Further information on the project can be obtained from Project Co-ordinator, Lynette Grey, on (01630) 891935 or by e-mail: l.grey1@npt.gov.uk