School Gates Graduates

The School Gates Enterprise Scheme backed by Greenwich Council has just finished with a bumper crop of graduates. Parents were encouraged to start their own businesses on special courses after school drop off in the mornings. On the courses they got the chance to learn new skills as part of the free training and advice. The project was delivered by South East Enterprise's advisor Brenda Drummond. The package of support included help with CVs and job applications, skills development and training, and enterprise advice and coaching.

On Wednesday 30 March graduates from the scheme attended a graduation ceremony at picturesque Charlton House. Cllr Denise Highland presented the graduates with their certificates and there was also an opportunity for the different sets of graduates to network with each other and advisers from South East Enterprise.

One of the graduates, mum-of-two Ingrid Uche has already benefited from the project and has started her own business. The mum of six-year-old twins, from Thamesmead, heard about the project while dropping them off at South Rise Primary School in Plumstead.

“I went on the School Gates training course that was held at the school over two half-days,” she said. “It was very, very useful for me, particularly the information about marketing and finance, such as the profit and loss account. It gave me a very good insight into what I needed to do.”

Ingrid set up a business called Zoe Cosmetics, and produces hand-made soaps from home, using natural
ingredients. “It’s going very well, and I’m now looking to expand by making other skincare products,” she said.

To find out more about this successful project read the article published in Greenwich Time.