New skills hub launched for Cheltenham residents

Published by

Giles Gwinnett

Left to right: Sarah Pinegar, Cllr David Willingham, Cllr Richard Pinegar, Cathy Dearden, Caroline Walker, Hannah Shipley, Janine Conway and Ian Mason - picture contributed

A new permanent hub has opened in West Cheltenham, Gloucestershire to help local residents upskill, find a job and build confidence.

The new free facility for St Mark's residents is at Hesters Way community resource centre and has been made possible by an £85,000 award from Gloucestershire County Council’s Levelling Up Together Fund.

Programmes on offer include simple IT skills, maths, advice on damp and mould and how to budget for Christmas.

Cllr David Willingham, Gloucestershire county councillor St Mark’s and St Peter’s division, said: "My work to get investment in areas like St Mark’s started at the county council meeting in 2021, and I am delighted to see this funding, which I fought so hard for, being used in St Mark’s.

"It will address the significant need, identified by our communities, and provide a better and more diverse range of opportunities."

Caroline Walker, head of community services at Cheltenham Borough Homes, added: "We are thrilled that our Skills Hub is now up and running and we’re looking forward to welcoming our residents along to see the great free courses that are on offer."

Cllr Victoria Atherstone, the cabinet member for housing, said: "Investing in infrastructure and services is key to supporting our communities – unlocking learning and development, as well as employment and knowledge opportunities."

Sessions run on Wednesdays and Thursdays and people are asked to click HERE for more information, including how to book.

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Giles Gwinnett

Giles Gwinnett is a writer at The Business Magazine. He has been a journalist for more than 20 years and covered a vast array of topics at a range of media settings - in print and online. After his NCTJ newspaper training, he became a reporter in Hampshire before moving to a news agency in Gloucestershire. In recent years, he has been covering the financial markets along with company news for an investor-focused web portal. His many interests include politics, energy and the environment. He lives in Dorset.