A group of Essex people now have the skills to open start-up businesses in health and social care, having just graduated from an innovative pilot programme teaching entrepreneurial skills to people with a care background.

Students from the 2017 Inspiring Entrepreneur Programme for the Care Sector, delivered by the Eastern Enterprise Hub, received their graduation certificates on Wednesday from Ian Lewis, Principal Economic Growth & Regeneration Officer and David Williams, Senior Operational Policy Advisor, both from Essex County Council.

The Inspiring Entrepreneur Programme, fully sponsored by Essex County Council, was set up to provide accessible and beneficial support for individuals living in Essex who want to start their own health and social care businesses.

Digby Chacksfield, CEO of the Eastern Enterprise Hub, said: “I’m extremely proud to be realising the vision to drive business growth by supporting start-up entrepreneurs in Essex.

“A strategy that Essex County Council has supported and nurtured, and together with business leaders, we have proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that Essex has a diverse community of talented, enterprising and resilient people who can start and sustain dynamic small businesses.

“We are always amazed by the diverse range of business ideas students bring to the Hub and this year is no exception.

“Our latest cohort of entrepreneurs includes a health and social care business consultancy, a home care company, an organisation which will help empower young people and adults to achieve their potential and a day care centre.”

Ian Lewis, Principal Economic Growth and Regeneration Officer, said: “We live in a county where there is a growing demand on health and social care and this pilot programme is an innovative way to help to address this demand. We found people who already have expertise in care and equipped them with the entrepreneurial tools to set up their own health and social care business.

“It was incredibly encouraging to see the group graduate and I will be watching how their businesses develop with great interest.”

The programme, which kicked-off in January, is designed to run alongside the day-to-day tasks of setting up a business and helps students develop new entrepreneurial skills, self-confidence and be a part of a community of like-minded business leaders and entrepreneurs. The programme also focused specifically on the responsibilities and requirements of individuals and businesses associated with the delivery of care services.

The graduation ceremony was held at the Wilson Marriage Centre, Barrack Street, Colchester

To find out more about programmes delivered by the Eastern Enterprise Hub, visit www.eehub.co.uk