Lifetime are playing their part in helping and inspiring the next generation of Barnsley business leaders.

In 2013 we launched the ‘Barnsley Businesses Inspiring Students’ project, which is being trialled at Horizon Community College before being rolled out to other schools in the borough. We have around 75 speakers committed to the venture, including four from our own company: Managing Director Ian Dickinson, who has already been into Horizon and delivered his ‘story’; Communications Director William Bottomley; Social Media Manager Andrew Lodge; and Business Development Manager Neil Hodgson.

And not only that but three ‘Lifetimers’ are now heavily involved in the ‘Enterprising Young People’ project and the ‘Barnsley I Know I Can Big Challenge’.

The IKIC Challenge is mainly taken up by Secondary School students – and some Primary School pupils – whereas the Enterprising Young People project has been launched to provide tailored help for young people who want to make a success of their business idea.

It is an ERDF funded enterprise start-up project that identifies and supports entrepreneurial young people (aged 14-24) to develop their business ideas into fully fledged enterprises.

There is also a grant of up to £2,000 available to help grow that young person’s business.

Lifetime MD Ian (pictured below) has agreed to be on the Enterprising Young People Grant Panel, which will meet approximately once a month to discuss and potentially approve discuss and approve the Young People’s grant applications.

Ian’s colleague Andrew Lodge (pictured below) has agreed to be on the Enterprising Young People Steering Group, who will meet up to four times a year to accredit and help celebrate the achievements of students.

Andrew has also agreed to be a patron of Horizon’s own I Know I Can Awards scheme. The main aim of these awards is to raise the life chances of young people by helping them to: get involved in community activities, develop their enterprising skills and plan for their future.

And Lifetime Financial Planner Janette Town (pictured below) has kindly agreed to be a ‘mentor’ to the  pupils at Thurgoland Primary School as they begin their IKIC project.