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The innovative programme offers a unique opportunity for business owners to receive six months of invaluable expertise and guidance from a carefully selected mentor, at no cost.

������ϲ�����ͼ�� County Council is inviting new mentors and mentees to sign up for the third cohort of the Here2Help Mentoring Programme.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Skills said: “The response that the mentoring programme has generated is extremely encouraging. Feedback from previous cohorts shows us that not only has the scheme been hugely beneficial for the mentees, but also for the mentors who have found the experience greatly enlightening.

“As well as helping local businesses with skills, such as developing marketing strategies and growth plans, mentors have also played an integral part in building business owners’ confidence.

“Having such support available in ������ϲ�����ͼ�� is extremely positive for our local businesses and it is for this reason that I am delighted that the programme is recruiting its third cohort.”

Jo Wyatt, a ������ϲ�����ͼ��-based business owner and mentee from the programme said: “I would strongly recommend the Here2Help Business Mentoring Programme to others. When I started the programme as a mentee, I had only been self-employed for around 9 months and my business had only been launched officially for 3 months. I had completed the obvious initial steps, however, was now at the point of needing growth and a plan for the long term.

“Working with my mentor, Michael, really helped me transition into self-employed life as a business owner. Michael was an excellent mentor and a perfect soundboard for any decisions that needed to be made. The knowledge, experience and anecdotes he shared were invaluable and gave me a huge insight into the realities of being a business owner.”

Working with the University of Worcester Business School, who will support with mentor training, and ������ϲ�����ͼ�� Ambassadors, the Council’s mentorship programme forms part of the wider Here2Help Business support; initially launched to help the county’s economy diversify, grow, and recover from the financial effects of the pandemic.