Owners of new businesses in Lancaster or those thinking about taking the leap are being offered the opportunity to take part in a new district-wide peer mentoring scheme.
Launched by Lancaster City Council in partnership with Lancaster & Morecambe Chamber of Commerce and Scale-Ability, this pilot scheme, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, will connect experienced local business owners with people in the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey.
Volunteer mentors with a successful track record will take mentees under their wing to equip them with essential knowledge, build confidence, and help their new venture to grow.
The first mentoring sessions will take place in the new year, and potential mentee applicants are now being sought.
Councillor Peter Jackson, cabinet member with responsibility for the local economy, said: “There’s a huge amount of experience and talent in our local business community.
‘’By pairing seasoned business owners with those just starting out, we’re helping people build confidence, avoid common pitfalls, and grow their businesses in a way that benefits the whole district.”
Graham White, CEO of Lancaster & Morecambe Chamber of Commerce, added: “As the voice of the local business community, the Chamber is proud to support this initiative, which brings together the experience and ambition that make our district such a dynamic place to do business.
‘’Mentoring can be transformative for new entrepreneurs, helping them to build confidence, make valuable connections, and learn directly from those who have successfully navigated the challenges of running a business. We’re delighted to be working alongside Lancaster City Council and Scale-Ability to nurture the next generation of business success stories.”
Paul Aisthorpe, Director and Co-Founder of Scale-Ability Ltd, commented: "As an established mentoring and coaching business located in Lancaster, we were delighted to be part of the planning discussions for this project and being able to play an integral part of the programme by working with the council and the new team of volunteer mentors on mentor skills development and support."
To express an interest in taking part in the programme email business.support@lancaster.gov.uk
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