On Friday 10th February Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL) Deputy CEO, Jackie Bertram and Educational Assistant Manager, Divya Kamath, attended a Community Renewal Fund ‘Successes and Impacts’ celebration at the City Hall in the heart of Leicester.
The event gave the opportunity for participants to share the outcomes of their projects, along with success stories and lessons learnt.
A variety of Community Renewal Fund (CRF) projects came to an end in September 2022 and this event celebrated 5 CRF programmes in the East Midlands area, including the Leicester Textiles Renewal project, which FEL delivered with Leicester City Council and De Montfort University.
The UK Community Renewal Fund is a UK Government programme for 2021/22. It’s aims was to support people and communities most in need across the UK to pilot programmes and new approaches to prepare for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It invested in skills, community and place, local business, and supporting people into employment.
The Community Renewal Fund supported five projects across the East Midlands for individuals and businesses. The projects were:
Positive Communities Project
A voluntary and community sector partnership led by the Highfields-based Bangladesh Youth and Cultural Shomiti, working to support people into employment and develop new skills.
Community ESOL Project
(English for Speakers of Other Languages) aimed at improving language skills to help people into employment, led by Twin Employment and Training.
She Inspired Business Playbox Project
Comprising five local voluntary and community sector organisations, which work to support women into employment and business, led by Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan Trust.
Leicester Accelerator Project
Led by East Midlands Chamber providing a range of support programmes including use of digital technology, mentoring for businesses and grants.
Leicester Textiles Renewal Project
Providing an integrated support programme delivering garment skills and training, support for innovation, and encouraging best practice within the city’s textiles and garment industry, led by Leicester City Council.
As a core delivery partner FEL was successful in:
- Engaging 44 local manufacturers
- Delivering 175 qualifications
- Employment for 25 individuals
- 20 Compliance visits / guidance reports
- 21 Innovation plans
- 145 jobs safeguarded
- Leicester Made Directory website
- Leicester Made trade event
Jackie Bertram presented a PowerPoint at the event to highlight the outcomes of this inspiring initiative. The FEL team at the FCFTA Leicester, along with additional FEL support from London HQ, were delighted to be involved with this project, driving forward positive change within Leicester’s thriving fashion and textiles industry.