New Civil Society Minister sees work of social enterprise

Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd, has visited Paddington Development Trust to see first hand the work of social enterprises and the benefits they bring to local communities.

On his first visit as Minister for Civil Society, Hurd met with Jackie Rosenberg, deputy CEO of the Paddington Development Trust and Steve Wyler, CEO of the Developments Trusts Association.

This was followed by meeting local residents at Paddington Development Trust's Enterprise Centre who were taking part in a workshop on setting up their own business.

After which Hurd had a tour of Church Street neighbourhood centre where he met with the Trust's neighbourhood team and local residents who together are delivering a range of improvements to their neighbourhood, including employment skills and attracting new businesses to the street market.

The Paddington Development Trust is a community-based social enterprise that was set up by local residents to support and empower people to come together to create positive change in their community.

They run four neighbourhood hubs in the area which bring together local residents and the main service providers, such as the Council and NHS, to work out solutions to local problems.

They also act as a social and community enterprise mentor for local organisations by providing business management advice and support, a youth training centre where young people can learn new skills and provide advice services on finance, healthcare and employment.

Hurd said: "The Paddington Development Trust is a great example of how a social enterprise can make a real difference to a community. The support, advice and services they provide are making a huge difference to people in their area.

"As we announced earlier this week we have entered a new era of people power at the centre of the new Government and it's really exciting to see an organisation where this is already happening.

"Our Big Society agenda is all about empowering local people and communities to bring about the changes they know their community needs. By putting the power back in the hands of people we will enable them to come together and work together to makes things happen."