A community hub which empowers local residents to develop their careers is looking to forge more links with businesses as part of its expansion.
PPE Community (Positive People Empowerment) provides life skills workshops, start-up advice and employment opportunities from its base in Meir.
Partnerships with business have already led to a number of placements with firms – but the organisation is seeking to broaden still further its links with employers as it branches out.
The hub is now poised to deliver Awards for All-backed training specifically related to sustainability in partnership with The Spark Group.
At the same time it will be renovating an unused community space following support from The Big Green Fund, Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s initiative which supports projects to revitalise abandoned plots.
PPE Community co-founder Paul Smith said: “We are so proud of the support and mentoring our project has delivered already. More than 20 young people have benefited greatly – with some gaining employment opportunities.
“Now, we’re so excited to be able to expand what we can offer by not only working with The Spark Group on devising climate change projects and other skills workshops, but also renovating a disused area near to our Weston Road base thanks to the funding we have received.”
Johnathan Smith, Manager of the hub, added: “We would also like to connect with more local businesses so we can provide even more employment and experience opportunities.”
PPE Community, a member of the Black Business Network at the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
The hub was originally set up as PPE 4 Community during the Covid pandemic, and was involved in donations of PPE face masks to the elderly and front-line care workers. Since its re-branding as PPE Community it has widened its remit.
