The Honey Pot shop in Market Square, Bromyard, is set to become a different sort of honeypot in future – attracting local young people looking for new skills and an insight into the world of work.
There should soon be a new buzz about the place as the former shop becomes a hive of activity in its new role as a community focal point for youngsters in and around the town.
The exciting new project has come to fruition thanks to Social Enterprise adviser Clare Foster and Business Link in the West Midlands.
After years of working with young people, and realising that many of them lacked the skills to take on a job when they left school Clare, together with co-director Mary Seldon, has turned the shop into a Social Enterprise, a not-for-profit company which ploughs any surplus cash back into the community.
The Honey Pot is run by Mary who, along with Clare, invites people into the shop to work and gain valuable communication skills and an insight into the world of work.
Clare said: “On leaving school, a lot of the non-academic students are not prepared for the world of work, find it difficult to get a job, and are bored.
“This can lead to their hanging around the streets and, sometimes, turning to crime.
“Working in a shop is a great way of picking up vital skills needed to get a job, so I decided to create a Social Enterprise out of something that was already a retail outlet.
More good news came recently when the Honeypot was named as a centre for regional enterprise forum Midwest Rural Enterprise.
The company is a self-styled ‘Enterprise Agency’ for Herefordshire and Worcestershire and works with Business Link to offer Start Up and Social Enterprise support. Roy Walford, one of the directors of Midwest Rural Enterprise said: “We are very excited about having a base in Bromyard.
“The Honey Pot is a Social Enterprise and it fits in with our aims to work closely with other Social Enterprises.”
Midwest Rural Enterprise will hold ‘one-to-one’ sessions every Tuesday at The Honey Pot for people looking to start their own business or wanting to find out more about Social Enterprise.
They will mark their arrival with a one-off ‘drop-in’ event on November 20 for people who want to know more about setting up a social enterprise.
The Honey Pot prides itself on helping older people who are struggling to find work and works closely Youth Support Service to provide support and training for young offenders from Droitwich.
“People can slip out of the system and get into trouble because they are bored,” said Clare. “We’ve found that, if we keep them interested, they generally respond very well, and it can be a life-changing experience.
“We also help local people wanting to do apprenticeships and work closely with the Learning and Skills Council’s Train to Gain scheme.
“The local poets’ society had their book-signing here, and we support all local authors. Generally, people see the Honey Pot as a one-stop shop of information where they can be kept up to date with local events.”
Anyone wanting to find out more about starting up a Social Enterprise can contact Business Link in the West Midlands on 0845 113 1234, visit www.leapstart.co.uk, or text the word leap to 80010.
Alternatively, contact the Honey Pot at www.herefordshireatwork.co.uk/honeypot or call Clare on 07918 617122.
