Succe SS of Social e nterpri S e p rogramme ( an DS ep) m arke D at c lo S ing e vent

Ards and North Down Borough Council’s successful Ards and North Down Social Enterprise Programme (ANDSEP), which has been supporting social business ventures in the area since 2016, has come to a successful conclusion with a closing event held in Helen’s Bay Walled Garden.

ANDSEP was a tailored specialist support programme that offered business development support to local social enterprises, helping them to start up, develop and grow sustainably. Through the programme, ANDSEP supported over 90 social business ventures and created more than 75 jobs within the Borough. The programme was developed in partnership with delivery agent Work West, which provided tailored advice and support to social enterprises. It offered a range of support services, including one-toone mentoring, workshops, and networking opportunities.

A closing event marked the programme’s success where participants reflected on their experiences with ANDSEP and discussed the impact the programme has had on their business ventures. Many spoke about how the programme helped them to build their confidence, develop their skills, and grow their social enterprises.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Karen Douglas, said: “ANDSEP has been a vital programme for social enterprises in our area, and we are proud of the support we have provided to help businesses to develop and grow. We are pleased to see the positive impact it has had on our local community, and we wish all our participants every success in the future.”

In addition to the support provided by ANDSEP, social enterprises were also referred to other supporting organisations, including Invest NI, to help them access further funding and support. The programme has been instrumental in promoting and developing social enterprises in the Ards and North Down area, making a significant contribution to the local economy. The closing event marked the culmination of a successful initiative that has helped many to grow and thrive in the area. Further information about ANDSEP and other business support programmes can be found at https://www. andbusiness.co.uk

Can you help The Treehouse Gang make it to Morocco?

The Treehouse Gang are a team of young engineers from Holywood in Co Down. They have built a robot to compete in First Lego League – a global STEM robotics competition. Having won both the NI regional competition in February and the All Ireland

National Competition in March they are hoping to travel to the International First Lego League Competition which takes place in Marrakech, Morocco on May 21st!

The team is not associated with a school or organisation and is trying to raise the £6000 its needs to meet travel costs for the team to travel to Morocco. The

Treehouse Gang have already designed a winning robot and are now working on their Innovation Project –a Teeny Tiny Turbine within a SmartTile - this ingenius design generates and harnesses energy from the footsteps of people walking through high footfall areas!

The Treehouse Gang are so called because they jointly built an epic 3 level treehouse during lockdown. The gang comprises of Charlie (16), Sullivan Upper, Rory (15,) Methody, Sophie (14), Milo (14), Belfast High School, Issy (12), Jonny (12) and Tilly (10).

The talented seven are coached and mentored by Kevin – who runs Holywood video Company Italic Pig. Together The Treehouse Gang needs £6,000 sponsorship to cover costs of the International event Final in Morocco.

If you can help or are interested in knowing more about sponsorship options please contact Kevin Beimers via email kevin@ italicpig.com