Businesses in Hull and the East Riding urged to support aspiring young entrepreneurs by becoming business mentors

Hull City Council are launching a campaign to attract mentors to support aspiring young entrepreneurs in Hull during Humber Business Week, which takes place from Monday 6 – Friday 10 June.

The council are working with its Youth Enterprise Ambassadors and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, which has supported more than 700 enterprising young people.

The campaign will be launched at the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce Expo on Tuesday 7 June at the Mercure Hull Grange Park Hotel.

Aspiring young entrepreneurs benefit greatly from the support of business mentors. The programme also gives the mentors an opportunity to be recognised for their work in the community.

Companies who engage with the mentor programme will receive official recognition from Hull City Council for investing their time and effort into assisting young entrepreneurs. They will be given the opportunity to meet other partners to exchange ideas on the city’s commercial issues and play an integral part in shaping future initiatives through a business engagement group run by young entrepreneurs.

Councillor Paul Drake-Davis, the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration at Hull City Council said: “We are delighted to be working with our Youth Enterprise Ambassadors to secure more mentors for the ever-growing number of young entrepreneurs in the city and we are always happy to hear from experienced business-owners willing to help and advise the next generation.

“Our aim is to ensure that the council alongside a business mentor, can support each and every aspiring and current young entrepreneur across the city so that they never feel like they have to face a challenge alone.”

Adam Corbally, Motivational Speaker and Patron of Making Changes for Careers (MC4C) said: “The work is highly satisfying for volunteers and often inspirational, in both understanding and witnessing first-hand how young people overcome seemingly insurmountable hurdles, both in their business and private lives in order that they can create their own jobs.

“Invariably, the aspiring young entrepreneurs are incredibly grateful for the time provided by the volunteers. I have certainly found my time as a mentor supporting young people in Hull very rewarding.”

If you own or have experience in running a business, are willing to share your drive and enthusiasm and are able to meet once a month, email charles.cracknell@hullcc.gov.uk or call 07990 510 211. For more details, follow Hull Youth Enterprise on Twitter at @HullsEnterprise.