LCE support helps north Warwickshire business to power its community
Support from Warwickshire County Council's Local Communities Fund, delivered by Coventry & Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust (CWRT), has helped a north Warwickshire business increase their important work in the community. Trevor Catt reports.
Aspire and Thrive started in August 2024 and is already making waves in the local community. The company provides tailored interventions that include mentoring, relational support, and educational support services for children and young people at risk of exclusion from education. Aspire and Thrive’s objective is to deliver a service that engages and supports vulnerable children, and provides opportunities for them to reintegrate into educational settings.
The leading forces behind the company David Hughes and Esther Bates, created a unique model combining the expertise of trainer and behaviour specialist Jack Cudworth with Clinical psychologist Dr. Liz Gillet. Their rich clinical experience allowed the creation of a model that focuses on emotional regulation, helping children connect while building consistent and predictable relationships.
To make their vision come to life Aspire and Thrive needed an injection of finance. Working with CWRT, a £70,000 loan was provided through the Local Communities and Enterprise Fund (LCE). The LCE fund is a unique lending option that allows Warwickshire-based businesses to access business loans when for a multitude of reasons they can’t access funding through mainstream or high street lenders.
Aspire and Thrive has utilised the loan for their startup operations, communication infrastructure development (including outsourced HR, payroll, and accounting services) and to drive initial organic growth within the local area.
With strong purpose, Aspire and Thrive have begun to establish vital relationships with key authorities in Coventry. David and Esther are keen to expand and grow and are looking to eventually extend their offer across Warwickshire and the West Midlands.
David said: “CWRT’s support was vital in our start up process. It has allowed us to invest and build strong foundations from the start. It is brilliant to see business loans available for diverse purposes.”
By improving the lives of young people Aspire & Thrive contributes positively to local communities and those deemed most vulnerable. The company is also projected to create at least six full-time jobs in the first year, expanding to 12 roles by the end of the second year which is a fantastic boost for the local economy and professionals looking to make a difference.
Sheridan Sulskis, chief executive of, CWRT said: “It’s incredibly rewarding to support companies like Aspire and Thrive and it’s an absolute honour to be able to fund their progress. We can’t wait to see the amazing impact they will bring to the community.”
For those looking to learn more about CWRT’s funding options, please visit CWRT’s website or give them a call on 02476 551 777.
* Please find out what other support is available to your business by calling Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub on 0300 060 3747 or visiting https://www.cwgrowthhub.co.uk