St Neots Initiative

There’s an African proverb you’ve likely heard before: “It takes a village to raise a child.” It’s a simple yet profound idea that underscores the role of community in shaping young lives. But what if we expanded on that? What if, instead of raising children, we took collective responsibility to show young and old people that they belong? What if we leaned into the idea that “it takes a town to show people they belong?” When I look at the headlines about up to 300,000 children missing from school last year, we’re failing in this fundamental aspect of community. The education system alone can’t fix this. The NHS can’t. Job centres can’t. These are massive systems with massive challenges and ones that will take decades to fully address. But here’s the thing, communities don’t have to wait! They can act now. We can create spaces, networks, and opportunities that connect people, nurture them, and remind them they’re part of something bigger. We don’t need permission from Westminster or a huge government overhaul to do this. We just need to start. Probably my last article of 2024, before I do my year-in-review annual blog. Hope you enjoy it and are inspired to take action, whatever that means for you!

Getting support to solve the issue of enabling people to access their benefits is key to this project long term. If we can get agreement on this, it will change the game for our Citizen Hub project. For nearly two decades people have had to travel to a nearby smaller town to engage with those services. The Citizen Hub is indeed the perfect example of what is being described by Liz Kendall, would say one better as it is community built and social enterprise run. Gone a long way in less than a week with this! Much appreciation for our MP Ian Sollom for raising this on our behalf and we hope to find a resolution for the benefit of the citizens of St Neots who need it. Please do follow the new page on LinkedIn, lots of exciting partnerships evolving here and will benefit both people and businesses across Cambridgeshire as we develop it. #StNeots #JobCentre #CitizenHub

Thursday 21st November 2024, the heart of St Neots pulsed with renewed energy as the Citizen Hub threw open its doors for an Open Day that brought together residents, businesses, and community organisations. The day was more than just a showcase of what the Hub offers, it was a celebration of collaboration, resilience, and the boundless potential of a community united by purpose. Full write-up from the collective, St Neots Initiative #AllAboutSoulCIC Inspire 2 Ignite CIC Cambridge Regional College #MAST

Not long now!! 21.11.24 the Citizen Hub relaunches. We welcome residents, businesses and community leaders to come and join us. Whether you are interested in how it can support the community or you want to explore how we can help enhance skills and employment locally, there is something for all citizens. Meet the partners involved: Cambridge Regional College, Bedford College, St Neots Initiative #AllAboutSoulCIC, Inspire 2 Ignite CIC, #MoneyAdviceStNeots and the founders of the Citizen Hub CIC. Thanking some of the early supporters who have helped get the space ready for the town to enjoy. We also look forward to welcoming our local MP Ian Sollom, representatives from Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, plus a special twist on cutting the ribbon with our citizens. If you want to let us know you are coming to any of the specific sessions - https://lnkd.in/eWrqzvYF Thank you to everyone who has supported us to date and we hope to see many of you on Thursday! #StNeots #CitizenHub

I'm going to post this video again because I have emphasised this example a couple of times when I have been out promoting the importance of looking at how we work with businesses and young people to match them with employer’s. You should be alarmed by this, it has never been more important for projects like Inspire 2 Ignite CIC's Young Person Ready and the #CitizenHub, which by design bridge the gap between employer’s and young talent in our communities. The issue is obscurity, AI won't resolve that right now and if you are working in a business that has challenges with recruitment, DM me. There are plenty of people out there looking for work, who are more than capable of adapting to your workplace. They just don't know you exist and are being systematically excluded from being seen when they try to engage. Here's how we are addressing it: Inspire 2 Ignite has the Young Person Ready directory, this new initiative is assessing employer’s across the UK to review what opportunities exist in their businesses and placing them in a portal that both young people and those that support them to explore those employment options directly. #CitizenHub is focused much more locally in Huntingdonshire, to not only provide local residents to St Neots the opportunities to develop skills and connect them with community, but to work with local employers to directly link their job vacancies to the people that are seeking work. I challenge you to find a better investment in accelerating the effectiveness of job matching and economic outcome interventions. Would love to hear from anyone who has vacancies and a poor uptake in resolving them. The answer can't be to just craft fake CV's and spam them into the world, no one wins in that outcome.

I am looking forward to hosting the Green Growth Panel Discussion at #CambsB2B with Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce. It is a conversation that is starting to scale now and alongside digital, they are hot topics of the skills landscape. We have a great panel here with lots of different perspectives so if you are attending the B2B event, be sure not to miss this discussion. Green Jobs Foundation

Can you believe it has been a week since the #SNI Awards 2024?! A big well done to all the worthy winners and runners-up of this year's SNI Annual Awards. Bringing recognition to unsung local heroes, these awards celebrate the very best of the community. The full list of this year's winners and runners-up is as follows: Sue Jarrett Award for Services to the Community Winner: Jim and Pam Fitzpatrick Runner Up: Julia Hayward John Davies Award for Services to Business and the Community Winner: Brian Moore Runner Up: Paul Gibbons John McDonnell Sports Award Winner: Dan Clarke Runner Up: Graham Hughes Manufacturing Award Winner: Paul Gibbons Runner Up: Lee Garnett Young Person Award Winner: Debbie Kellar Runner Up: Luke Stock Once again, a big thank you to all the finalists and winners, and to those who work to make our town better every single day. Thank you to our sponsors – We Are Wintringham, RWE and Henbrook Care Home - for making the night possible. Some select images from our volunteer photographers Tash and Lynnette from Wing Woman Plus. The latest newsletter is out for more, check your inbox citizens. Not a member yet, join as a citizen today for free https://lnkd.in/e5nACDXi

Huntingdonshire District Council's Annual Climate Conversation 👉 6 November in St Ives 👉 There's still time to register! https://lnkd.in/d5eaD8F6

📢 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝗼𝘁𝘀! 🏆 On Friday night, our Economic Development Officer, Nikki Burton, had the privilege of attending the St Neots Initiative Unsung Hero Awards at the soon to be relaunched 𝗦𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝘂𝗯. It was an honour to see so many inspiring individuals, including a number of familiar faces, being recognised for their incredible contributions to the local community. 👏💙 From sports enthusiasts and manufacturing champions to community organisers and dedicated volunteers, every nominee highlighted what makes St Neots such a wonderful place to live, work, and play. Each finalist deserves our deepest thanks for their passion and dedication to improving our community in meaningful ways. 🌟 A huge well done to St Neots Initiative for the hard work that went into organising this incredible event and to all sponsors who supported this celebration of community spirit. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a memorable celebration of local heroes. Let’s continue to celebrate and support those who make St Neots and Huntingdonshire a great place to be for all. Share your appreciation for the people and organisations that contribute to our community’s success and join us in recognising their impact! 💙💫 #InvestInHuntingdonshire #StNeots #Huntingdonshire #UnsungHeroes #CommunityChampions #Volunteers #SNI2024 #LocalCommunity David Gibbons Pamela Scott Michelle Sacks Mike Gildersleeves Rebecca Tomlin Alex Hughes Debbie Phillips Sam Squire Huntingdonshire District Council Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce Keystone St Neots

🎉🌟John Davies Award for Business and Community 2024🎉🌟 🎉🌟 Huge congratulations to our very own Brian Moore! On Friday, he was honored with the St Neots Initiative Award for Business and Community 2024! 🏆 Brian’s dedication to St Neots and its citizens, both within and outside of the Henbrook House family, is truly inspiring. His commitment to putting people first shines through in everything he does. As a member of the St Neots Initiative management team I was honoured to present Brian with his award and was able to give a speech to champion the impact he has had not just for Connaught Care Collection - Henbrook House but for the wider St Neots Community. From his work with the Carnival, SNARL - Litter Picking, roller-skating and everything in between - I do not know how he finds the time. I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition. Thank you, Brian, for all your hard work and passion for our family and community! 🙌💙 #StNeots #CommunityHero #BrianMoore #Inspiration