- Free service for Cheltenham residents looking to upskill, find employment or build confidence
A new permanent skills hub has been launched for St Mark’s residents in West Cheltenham at the Hesters Way Community Resource Centre.
Made possible thanks to an £85k award from Gloucestershire County Council’s Levelling Up Together Fund, these free services are available to anyone looking for work, in education or simply wanting to access courses to help build their confidence.
Sessions run on Wednesdays and Thursdays and more information, including how to book, can be found online at Cheltenham Borough Homes www.cbh.org/employment-support-and-advice.
Caroline Walker, head of community services at Cheltenham Borough Homes, said: “We are thrilled that our Skills Hub is now up and running and we’re looking forward to welcoming our residents along to see the great free courses that are on offer.”
Cllr Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for housing, continued: “This skills hub is a brilliant opportunity for our residents. I’m thrilled we’ve been able to launch this life-changing practical help to improve skills, knowledge and confidence for people’s futures.
“Investing in infrastructure and services is key to supporting our communities – unlocking learning and development, as well as employment and knowledge opportunities.’’
Cllr Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: “I am delighted that the county council’s Levelling Up Together fund has been able to fund this permanent skills hub in Cheltenham.
“Levelling Up Together is about improving education provision across the county to narrow the inequalities in our society and help our residents achieve their ambitions for the places they live in.”
Just some of the impressive programme of opportunities at the skills hub includes:
- Simple IT skills
- Application forms and interviewing skills
- Maths
- Budgeting for Christmas
- Damp, mould and condensation advice
Cllr David Willingham, Gloucestershire County Councillor St Mark’s and St Peter’s division, said: “My work to get investment in areas like St Mark’s started at the county council meeting in 2021, and I am delighted to see this funding, which I fought so hard for, being used in St Mark’s. It will address the significant need, identified by our communities, and provide a better and more diverse range of opportunities.”
To find out more visit www.cbh.org/help-support.
For media enquiries contact: communications@cheltenham.gov.uk.
Notes: Just under half of the area’s population are CBH customers with CBH managing 482 out of the 980 properties.
Contact the press office on communications@cheltenham.gov.uk | 0800 408 0000