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A brand‑new opportunity for young people across Bath and North East Somerset is launching on 3 February, as the B&NES Business Enterprise Challenge opens its first 10‑week programme in Radstock. Designed for 16 to 21 year‑olds who are currently not in work, education or training, the initiative aims to build confidence, develop practical skills and inspire the next generation of community‑minded entrepreneurs.
Delivered twice a week at Old Printwork Arts, the programme is available exclusively to young people registered with the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer team. Over the course of ten weeks, participants work together to design, plan and deliver a real charity or social enterprise event that benefits their local community.
A Hands‑On Route Into Enterprise
Rather than learning through textbooks, participants experience the full journey of creating a social enterprise project, from the first spark of an idea to delivering an event and reviewing its impact. Along the way, they work towards a nationally recognised Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI) qualification and receive personalised support tailored to their goals.
The programme is built to help young people strengthen their CVs, boost their confidence and explore whether self‑employment or enterprise could be a future pathway. Many also discover new strengths, interests and working styles that help shape their next steps.
What Participants Will Experience
Throughout the challenge, young people will:
- Choose a charity or social enterprise to support
- Explore their strengths and working style
- Work as a team to plan a real community event
- Learn what makes an event successful
- Deliver their event and reflect on its impact
They’ll also build a wide range of practical skills, including:
- Goal‑setting and project planning
- Budgeting, marketing and promotion
- Risk assessment and legal basics
- Environmental and sustainable event planning
- Teamwork, delivery and reflective review
Expert‑Led Sessions and Personalised Support
A key feature of the programme is its mix of guest sessions delivered by industry professionals and wellbeing specialists.
These include:
- Social enterprise and team‑building workshops
- Social media and digital marketing training
- Confidence, mindset and mental health support
- Healthy lifestyle and employability skills
- Neurodiversity and wellbeing strategies
- One‑to‑one mentoring and next‑steps planning
This blend of enterprise learning and personal development ensures that every participant is supported not just in their project, but in their wider journey into work, education or self‑employment.
Who Can Join?
The programme is open to young people aged 16 to 21 who are:
- Not currently in work, education or training
- Registered with the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer team
How to Get Involved
Anyone interested in joining or finding out more can visit the Youth Guarantee website at www.skillsconnect.org.uk/youth-guarantee or email the team directly at youth_trailblazer@bathnes.gov.uk.
This new initiative marks an exciting step in supporting young people across B&NES to build their futures, gain real‑world experience and make a positive impact in their community.