A NEW shop which aims to help vulnerable young people boost their employability and life skills is set to open in Taunton.

The social enterprise, called Bold & Brave, is the result of collaboration between Young Somerset and sen.se (Special Educational Needs. Somerset Expertise) and will be based at 14 Riverside Place in Tauntone

Bold & Brave offers a platform for the young people involved to develop products, learn about business, and gain work experience.

The shop will sell high quality products designed and ethically produced by young people.

Vulnerable young people will be in visible roles that contribute to community cohesion.

Nik Harwood, Young Somerset chief executive, said: “After several successful pop-up shops and witnessing first-hand the huge positive impact this project had on both the young people and the community, we knew we had to create a permanent shop to give this unique opportunity to more young people across Somerset.

“Although the concept behind the permanent Bold & Brave shop is based on the earlier success of our pop-up shop model, we expect opportunities connected to this new enterprise to be available to young people more broadly, including linking with FE Colleges and young people who are home-educated.”

The shop's name Bold & Brave was inspired by Lewis, one of the young people who worked in a former sen.se and Young Somerset Christmas pop-up shop.

He came up with the name as he felt working in the pop-up shop made him feel “bold and brave”.

Young people involved in the shop will gain accredited training.

They will be part of a work placement programme, receiving mentoring and job coaching.

Meanwhile the products will be researched, planned, designed and made by young people from Somerset.

Julie Walker, sen.se executive officer, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this initiative. Young people are at the very heart of this exciting new project as we continue to put them first, by supporting them to put their stamp on their products and their community.”

Cllr Frances Nicholson, Somerset County Council Lead Member for Children’s Services, said: “The previous pop-up shops demonstrated a successful model for helping young people in Somerset to develop products and gain practical work experience. I am so pleased that these trials have led to the opening of a permanent shop. Many more young people will now have a real opportunity to be ‘Bold & Brave’ while they learn new skills.”

You can find out more about the venture by visiting Bold & Brave Taunton on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/boldandbravetaunton or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/boldandbravetaunton/?hl=en.

ENDS