Congleton Mum promotes eco learning across Cheshire after being made redundant
Congleton Mum promotes eco learning across Cheshire after being made redundant
A Congleton mum of five who was made redundant is celebrating the launch of her environment consultancy business Eco Learning.
54-year-old Patti Pinto works on a project and contract basis with schools, children’s groups and local authorities. providing eco consultancy and environmental education. She works with the organisations to provide an outdoor hands-on approach to learning about the environment and advises on the development of its sustainability agenda. She works with schools in the region such as St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Marton and District Primary School and Havannah Primary School to develop their green flag status.
Patti began studying for a part time MSc in Conservation Biology in 2008 before she was made redundant from her job as a project manager for an agricultural business. She launched the business in August with £3,000 of her own money.
“I wanted a career change and began studying but when I was finally made redundant it gave me the kick I needed to carry on,” she said. “I began volunteering in schools while I was studying and realised there was a market for outside educational projects to be delivered in schools. I worked with Kings Grove High School in Crewe, helping them to progress from silver to green flag status after helping them to secure funding from a local environmental charity. I worked with them developing the school grounds including creating a pond and extending their vegetable garden.
“I work across the whole Cheshire East and Cheshire West area and have also joined the Congleton Sustainability Group as an eco-school advisor. I enjoy helping school’s achieve a better standard of sustainability and hopefully encourage the children who take part to become more aware of their surroundings.”
After finishing her Masters at Manchester Metropolitan University in July, Patti contacted the East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce for help. It recommended business support agency Blue Orchid, the contracted start up business advisors for the area.
Patti said: “I contacted Blue Orchid and they were very helpful in pointing me in the right direction. They sent me on a variety of start-up workshops covering areas such as business planning, exploring enterprise and sales and marketing. I was also given a business advisor, Kerry Hall, who worked with me on a one to one basis looking at tax issues, and how best to contact my target audience and promote myself.”
Patti’s support was delivered though the ISUS programme, in which Blue Orchid is the contracted provider for Cheshire East. It is provided by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). ISUS is part of Solutions for Business, the Government's package of publicly funded business support designed to help companies start and grow. The programme is funded by the NWDA, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cheshire East.
For more information on Patti’s services call 01260 279 363, email pattipinto1@yahoo.co.uk To find out more about Blue Orchid’s services in Cheshire West and Chester call 01625 449 019 or email startups@theblueorchid.co.uk
