Ten Young Entrepreneurs Join Positive Enterprise Programme in West Cumbria
By Business Correspondent
Ten young entrepreneurs with brilliant business ideas from software development to gutter cleaning have been accepted onto an exciting programme to help them bring their plans to life.
The young people, aged between 14 and 21 from across West Cumbria, have been chosen to take part in the Positive Enterprise programme, run by Cumbria Community Foundation and the Centre for Leadership Performance (CforLP).
They will each receive a £1,000 grant, plus workshops, expert advice, mentoring and the opportunity to shadow local entrepreneurs.
Each participant will also be paired with an experienced businessperson to act as a mentor and guide them through highs and lows of running their own business.
This is the programme’s fourth year and its first in Furness, with the West Cumbria launch at LEVELS in Whitehaven bringing together participants, families, mentors, and organisers to connect and hear past success stories.
Business ideas this year include furniture reupholstering, buying and selling vintage sports memorabilia, software development, and gutter maintenance.
Aiden Gill, 15, of Dearham, has been selected to take part with his idea of creating a new fragrance.
He said:
“I’m most looking forward to trying new things. I’ve done some research into making a fragrance and this programme seems like a really good opportunity to give it a go.”
Chloe Pennington took part in Positive Enterprise in 2024 to develop her business, Chloes Chateau. She sells original art and gifts, transforming her own brightly coloured, hand-drawn artwork showing scenes from West Cumbria and beyond into prints, mugs and other giftware.
Chloe gave her advice to this year’s participants:
“Take every opportunity; you don’t know where it will lead. If it’s not working for you – pivot. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The experience itself is worth much more than the money.”
Good News Post
The programme is funded by Sellafield Ltd, through the Transforming West Cumbria programme, Thomas Graham & Sons Ltd, the Printers Inc Social Mobility Fund, and a private donor.
Stuart McCourt, Social Impact Manager at Sellafield Ltd, said:
“We always look forward to the launch of the new Positive Enterprise cohorts each year. Meeting the new participants and seeing the passion behind their ideas was fantastic. The success of previous beneficiaries proves the programme’s impact – helping young entrepreneurs get started and giving them the tools to build sustainable, growing businesses.”
The programme is delivered by CforLP.
Project Lead Rhianna Smith said:
“From the start, we’ve seen a diverse group of young people sharing creative business ideas. Positive Enterprise isn’t just about business – it helps build confidence, resilience, and skills for the future. Now in its fourth year, the programme continues to support alumni as they move into education, work, or self-employment.”
Annalee Holliday, Head of Grants Practice & Programmes at Cumbria Community Foundation, said:
“Positive Enterprise has a strong track record of supporting young people starting out in business. Beyond helping businesses grow, it builds confidence and life skills, transforming participants’ lives. We’re very grateful to the funders and mentors who share their time and expertise.”
For more information visit www.cumbriafoundation.org/positive-enterprise/
