Looking for entrepreneurs on the Rockingham Estate

The team has just completed a Community Enterprise Advisors course run by Southwark-based enterprise agency Business Extra.

"I have been very impressed by the level of entrepreneurial energy in what is one of the most disadvantaged estates in South London," says Patrick Blunt, who led the course.

"It is certainly the first step in creating a culture of enterprise and could provide an important model for other low income estates to follow."

The team of advisors will now start offering business start up information to any local person wanting to start a small business or community enterprise.

A programme of drop-in sessions at community centres on the Rockingham Estate will be held in the New Year.

Local people will also be able to sign up for the sessions via the Rockingham Community Association's new website which is being launched in early 2008.

Entrepreneur and local resident Tim Reith organised the training. He added: "People need access to ideas, networks and finance if they are to succeed. We know there is plenty of entrepreneurial talent on our estate and now people have every opportunity to turn their business idea into a reality."

Next Year the Community Enterprise Advisors will be launching a search for young people with entrepreneurial ideas aimed at providing legitimate alternatives to drug and gang-related activities.