Residents young and old from across West Suffolk are invited to two events being held next month designed to boost skills and reduce social isolation.

The West Suffolk Skills Share Fair is free to attend and is open to anyone who would you like to learn new skills or improve existing skills, or who is looking to return to work, perhaps following time out looking after children or a period of unemployment. The Fair is also targeted at anyone who is willing to support the local economy through volunteering as well as people who are recently retired, but willing to support younger people in learning about the world of work.

The drop in events which take place across two mornings has been organised by the team of nine interns working at West Suffolk Council.

Cllr Susan Glossop, Cabinet Member for Growth at the Council said: “We work with a variety of education, employment and other partners and we want to inspire people to improve existing skills and learn new ones. This in turn may help giving people the confidence to undertake voluntary work in their community, start-up their own business venture or to gain new employment and in so doing contribute to the success of our local economy.

“The Skills Share Fair is also about encouraging people within our own rural communities to come forward and inspire others. We recognise that there will be older people that can teach younger generations certain skills and vice versa. We also want people to become ambassadors at schools and support young people’s career development, as well encouraging other friends and family to further develop their skills.”

Cllr Robert Everitt, West Suffolk Council’s Cabinet Member for Families and Communities said: “West Suffolk is a rural area and people can feel socially isolated at any age – it’s not just about getting older. Sometimes people may feel isolated because they aren’t employed and are not confident in the skills that they have to offer. This can include parents and/or grandparents who have been looking after children and who may be looking to return to work. We can help point people in the right direction and we would encourage anyone to come to the Skills Share Fair.”

The two events are open to residents from across the whole of the West Suffolk.

The first takes place in Mildenhall on 16 August from 10am to 12noon at The Jubilee Centre.

The second takes place in at the Haverhill Arts Centre on 22 August from 10am to 12noon.