A COMMUNITY training enterprise is celebrating winning a commission of more than £15,000 from Skills and Learning.

Voluntary co-director of BEST, Bridport Enterprise Supporting Training Ltd, Arthur Woodgate said the company was pleased that for three years running it had been given money.

He said: "This is the third successive year that we have received funding from this source for our 'ASPIRE' Project.

"In the first year of the amalgamation of the adult learning departments of the three authorities (from Dorset) more than 20 organisations were funded.

"Last year it was just ten, and this year seven. I would suggest that these seven have been funded because they are the most effective at what they do, and we are very pleased to be counted among them.”

Mr Woodgate put the success of “ASPIRE”, which works with, mentors and supports those who are not in employment, or who want to increase their employability skills, very much down to co-ordinator Charlotte Storey.

He said: “She’s brilliant, very highly qualified, very creative – she is also a professional musician and actress – and vastly experienced in working with those who just need a bit of support at the right time to help them turn their lives around.”

Charlotte was recently recognised by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education for her outstanding work with ASPIRE, which had previously been nominated by MP Oliver Letwin for an award from the Centre for Social Justice

Mr Woodgate added: "The ASPIRE Project has now been operating for more than five years.

”We have consistently hit targets, sometimes exceeding them. What we offer is completely free – in fact we often fund further training, transport costs, necessary work clothes and equipment for those we work with to help them along their way. This sort of support can make a big difference to people’s lives, and can help them to realise their aspirations.”

ASPIRE is part of Skills and Learning BDP’s (Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole) Community Learning Programme, and Charlotte can be seen talking about her work on its website skillsandlearningbdp.co.uk under “Project and Partnership Fund.”

For further information contact a.c.woodgate@btinternet.com.