First two graduates emerge from Darlington fashion retailer

The first two graduates from Darlington’s new community interest company retail project have emerged with qualifications.

Patchwork People, the Darlington organisation which supports young people and families through enterprise solutions, have launched ‘Labelled’ - a fashion shop on West Auckland Road in Cockerton.

The shop aims to provide training and enterprise skills to young people, via a high street business, and offers placements for youngsters with additional needs aged 14 - 25 years old.

Labelled’s first two graduates are Gary and Mark Cowen - both 26 - and have been with Labelled for two years.

The pair were handed their most recent achievement, the Sfedi Level 1 Award in Enterprising Skills and Employability (QCF), at an awards ceremony with friends, volunteers and supporters at Labelled.

Newcastle-based Rivers Capital Partners managed the Finance for Business North East Angel Fund which invested in Patchwork People in October 2013, and director Jonathan Gold presented Gary and Mark with their awards.

He said: “I’m impressed by the commitment and expertise of the management team at Patchwork People. They provide a great way to increase the skills of their young people and actively support their progression into the workplace.”

Gill Walker, director of Patchwork People, said: “We were delighted that Jonathan Gold of Rivers Capital Partners was able to join us in a celebration event to mark Gary and Mark’s time with us and to present them with their certificates.

“Following investment from the North East Angel fund, managed by Rivers Capital Partners, Labelled is now being replicated in many other parts of the country allowing many more young people furthest from the job market to benefit.”

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