Community Catalysts is a partner in an initiative to provide free training to people on upskilling, confidence building and starting your own business. The free eight-week Improving Skills programme starts in February next year especially for Berinsfield residents in Oxfordshire. Led by South Oxfordshire District Council, other partners include Abingdon and Witney College, UKAEA, National Careers Service, Enterprise Oxfordshire, DWP and Williams Jet Tenders Ltd.

Anita Winged, Community Enterprise Catalyst, will contribute to the programme and provide information and support to those who want set up their own community micro-enterprise or small business.

Cllr Anne-Marie Simpson, Cabinet Member for Planning Policy, Including Garden Communities at South Oxfordshire District Council said:

“I’m really pleased that we’re able to provide this training opportunity for residents in Berinsfield. We know that access to free education can be hard once you’re over 19 and that then adds to the challenges of looking for work or wanting to learn new skills and gain confidence in the workplace. This is just part of our continued commitment to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in the village as part of our Garden Communities work.”

The Improving Skills programme starts on the 4 February, with one session a week at Williams Jet Tenders at Vogue Business Park in Berinsfield from 6.30-8.30pm.

In January there will be a number of drop-in events taking place with the partners and organisations running the sessions so that people can find out more before they register.