Month: February 2026
Young entrepreneur programme launches in Furness
Young entrepreneurs taking their first steps in business have been selected for an exciting new programme to help them bring their plans to life.
Six young people, aged between 15 and 24 from across Furness, have been awarded a place on Positive Enterprise, run by Cumbria Community Foundation and the Centre for Leadership Performance (CforLP).
Their innovative business ideas range from selling African food and pizzas, to photography and make-up services.
Each participant will receive a £1,000 grant, plus workshops, expert advice, and the opportunity to shadow local entrepreneurs.
They 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.
The programme has run successfully in West Cumbria for the past three years and is expanding into Furness for the first time for 2026. It was launched at The Bridge in Barrow on 12 February, where participants and their families, mentors and organisers had chance to get to know each other and hear about previous success stories.
The programme is delivered by CforLP. Project Lead Rhianna Smith said: “Positive Enterprise doesn’t just focus on the business outcomes, the real impact is long-term – supporting participants to build confidence, resilience and essential skills that shape their futures. We are really excited to run the programme in Furness for the first time, and very impressed with the broad and creative range of their business ideas that reflect their different experiences, interests and ambitions.”
Positive Enterprise in Furness is funded by the Printers Inc Social Mobility Fund and individual donor Jan Ambler. Mrs Ambler explained what led her to support the programme.
“My husband came from a very poor background and appreciated the advice he got when starting out in business. We have always been interested in helping young people, especially those who do not have the same opportunities as others. Everyone deserves an equal chance.”
Annalee Holliday, Head of Grants Practice & Programmes at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “Positive Enterprise has a fantastic track record of delivering practical support and advice to young people starting out in business. There are so many success stories from the first three years of the programme – not only in terms of the number of businesses still going from strength to strength, but the confidence and life skills it has given those taking part.
“We are delighted to be able to offer the programme in Furness for the first time and are very grateful to the funders and mentors giving up their time to share their skills and experience.”
James Batchelor MBE, founder of Alertacall, has been a mentor on the programme for the past three years. He is encouraging others to sign up as mentors too.
“One of the most powerful ways you can have a positive impact across a community is to lend support to a young person trying to start their own venture,” James said. “You’ll improve their skills, confidence and capabilities, and if their venture succeeds, they will go on to have a positive impact on countless other people. Your life experiences shared and your encouragement just a few hours a month is all that many brilliant young people in Cumbria need, and the truth is you’ll also have fun and meet brilliant people.
“If you’re considering youth mentorship, the Positive Enterprise programme is one of the easiest ways to get involved in Cumbria because all the participants benefit from brilliant leadership training and other wraparound support which truly maximises their chance of success. Go for it!”
To get involved with Positive Enterprise in Furness, either as a participant or mentor, please contact Rhianna Smith at CfLP on 07949 642598 or email rhianna.smith@cforlp.org.uk.
For more information visit www.cumbriafoundation.org/positive-enterprise/
The young entrepreneurs taking business to the next level
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 fourth year of the programme, which will also run in the Furness area for the first time this year. The West Cumbria launch took place at LEVELS in Whitehaven, where participants and their families, mentors and organisers had chance to get to know each other and hear about previous 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.”
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: “At the very start of this year’s Positive Enterprise programme, we’re already seeing a diverse group of young people bringing forward a broad and creative range of business ideas that reflect their different experiences, interests and ambitions. Positive Enterprise doesn’t just focus on the business outcomes, the real impact is long-term – supporting participants to build confidence, resilience and essential skills that shape their futures.
“Now in its fourth year, the programme continues to support alumni beyond delivery, helping them apply what they’ve learned as they move into education, employment or self-employment. It’s a privilege to be part of another year supporting young people as they take their first steps on that journey.”
Annalee Holliday, Head of Grants Practice & Programmes at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “Positive Enterprise has a fantastic track record of delivering practical support and advice to young people starting out in business. There are so many success stories from the first three years of the programme – not only in terms of the number of businesses still going from strength to strength, but the confidence and life skills it has given those taking part.
“Positive Enterprise really does have a transformational effect on the lives of the young people taking part, and we are very grateful to the funders and mentors giving up their time to share their skills and experience.”
For more information visit www.cumbriafoundation.org/positive-enterprise/