This week saw the latest in a series of meetings to consider Hitchin's own Community Enterprise and Training Shop. Twenty or so volunteers, sitting in a room, working through ideas for making the most of the young people, community groups and business start-ups in the area.
It was an inspiring evening. All of us giving our time, knowledge and understanding for the benefit of people we probably haven't met yet.
The plan is to use the shop on Hermitage Road - you can't miss it, especially if you've just come out of one of its neighbours, Town Fryer or Hermitage Rd - to foster development in young people over the age of 18, graduates who might have a great idea but nowhere to start and new business owners. As well as a physical space, there will also be training and mentoring available.
It's an exciting time and the team welcomes new ideas. Do you have something to offer young people, setting out in the world of work for the first time? Could you mentor someone trying to start their own business? Are you volunteering already with a community group that would love the kudos of a short time in a valuable shop front? The person to contact is hard-working Town Centre Manager, Keith Hoskins: he'd love to hear from you!
