Grant allows refugees in Norwich to learn new skills and boost their confidence

Posted by nathan lloyd | Published: 28/12/2016


A group that supports refugees settling in Norwich to gain business skills has been given a funding boost from Central England Co-operative.

The Jumpstart Youth Project will use a grant from the Eastern Membership and Community Council to help support around 10 people.

The £500 will be used towards covering the cost of resources to allow a group of female refugees to create items such as baby bibs and cards that they can sell.

The funding will also allow them to develop friendships with school students who will be offering advice and guidance on the products that they are set to create.

Rosie Sexton, co-ordinator at the Jumpstart Youth Project, said: “Many of those we work with find it hard to integrate into life in the UK.

“Working with Jumpstart Youth has been a great way for those new to Norwich to mix with students of their own age, and build confidence through developing a small business and selling their products.

“Not only will the students developed new skills, but they will also make friends across the language barrier and have a positive experience of youth culture in the UK.”

Karen Ball, Member and Community Relations Officer, said: “The Co-operative has a long tradition of giving back to the community, and we welcome the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives and education of local people.

“It is really important to have strong links with the local community and I am proud the Eastern Membership and Community Council were able to support this project run by Jumpstart Youth Project.”

Central England Co-operative offers a wide range of educational and recreational workshops and classes for its members and communities. If you are interested in finding out more, please pop in to your local Central England Co-operative food store or email member.community@centralengland.coop

Notes to editors

About Central England Co-operative

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK. It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with projected gross sales of £958million for 2016/17. The Society recently celebrated being named Leading Co-operative of the Year 2016 by Co-operatives UK. The Society’s principal areas of activity are food, funeral services, and property. Central England Co-operative has more than 430 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.  The Society has an ambitious food store development programme for 2016/17.
Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.  It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence.  The Society supports a number of charities including Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.
For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative
Rob Smyth – PR officer - Central England Co-operative - 01543 414140
Email – publicrelations@centralengland.coop