Business owners and managers in Lancashire have been urged not to miss an important deadline to access a funded mentoring programme.

Businesses have until September 3rd to register for the final round of the Boost Growth Mentoring programme of 2021.

The Growth Mentoring service is funded and part of Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub. It places an experienced mentor in a business to work alongside its owners and leaders to help them tackle the challenges they are facing in developing and growing their company.

The service is delivered by business support organisations Community and Business Partners and Orvia, which have both urged Lancashire business leaders to act now to avoid missing out this year.

Jaydee Davis, operations director, Community and Business Partners, said: “We have supported more than 1,000 business leaders in Lancashire through Boost to grow their business, solve key challenges they were facing, improve their leadership skills and recover from Covid-19.

“We’ve got more than 300 experienced Boost mentors available to us, so whatever your business sector and size, and whatever challenge you are facing, we can help you to solve it.

“Do not miss this great opportunity to access a mentor this year at no cost to you or your business.”

Boost is Lancashire's Business Growth Hub and is led by the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and Lancashire County Council and supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

It is one of 38 Growth Hubs in the UK and helps Lancashire business owners and leaders navigate the local, regional and national public and private sector business support landscape to find the right support. It also delivers a number of funded business support programmes including Growth Mentoring.

Business owners and managers who access the Growth Mentoring programme are matched with a successful businessperson who will share their knowledge, experience and skills. All Boost mentors have either founded and grown successful business or held senior, board level positions.

Together, the mentor and business will develop a Growth Action Plan and the mentor will then work with the business owner or manager to put the plan into action and address any barriers that may arise. Business leaders often develop a long-standing bond which continues as they develop and grow.

One business who has benefitted from the Growth Mentoring programme is Chorley-based Frederick’s Ice Cream.

Donna Townson, managing director, said: “Boost’s Growth Mentoring programme has transformed the way I view my business. My mentor helped me look beyond my own boundaries and we now have a clear path to continued growth.

“Every business owner or manager in Lancashire should register for Boost Growth Mentoring support.”

Businesses can register for Boost’s Growth Mentoring programme by emailing boost@cbpartners.org or calling 01254 291281.