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Business Mentoring Comes To Poole

The Dorset Business Mentoring programme (Dormen), has now been extended to cover businesses located within the Borough of Poole.

Set up late last year Dormen was initially designed to help new businesses and those with growth potential in rural Dorset but as of this week it now covers the whole of Dorset. The programme involves a team of volunteer mentors from the business community donating their time for free to help young businesses survive and grow.

Mick Waite, Dormen programme manager said: "The project is a great example of partnerships working together in Dorset. The local authorities have worked with key partners to initiate this scheme and get it off the ground. The programme also receives support from the Dorset Strategic Partnership, the South West Regional Development Agency (through their Rural Renaissance Initiative), Business Link and the Learning & Skills Council ."

Councillor Ron Parker, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the Local Economy said: "It is vitally important to stimulate business start-up and business growth. A growing, sustainable local economy provides an opportunity for local people to learn and develop new skills and promotes stronger and more vibrant local communities. In turn, this helps to retain young talent in the area. The success of the programme is dependent on the quality of the volunteer mentors and we are extremely grateful to the mentors who have given up their time to support local people in their business ventures."

Dormen is a great opportunity for experienced business people to give something back and to remain active in the business community.  It is particularly beneficial in Dorset where there are a high number of retired business people who are willing and able to support the scheme.

Geoff Mullis, who is chairman of an engineering business in Fareham and one of the volunteer mentors said:  "Many people helped me through my career and this is my way of repaying them. Just seeing the energy flow back into our people is enough, but I also learn about businesses and markets that are new to me. The personal friendship and camaraderie is hugely important."

Those people wanting to know more about the scheme or would like to become a volunteer mentor should contact Mick Waite, Dormen Programme Manager, on 01202 862442, mobile 07900 080752, or e-mail mick@dormen.org.uk.

Peter Wheelhouse, Economic Development Manager on 01202 633032