Established in 2011, Mersey Youth Support Trust has supported more than 225 fledgling ventures at its north Liverpool hub for young entrepreneurs – now it wants to take the model to Wirral. Tony McDonough reports

A youth charity is seeking funding to open a second Liverpool city region hub for young, aspiring entrepreneurs to build on the success of its existing facility.

Mersey Youth Support Trust (MYST), which was established in 2011, currently offers 27 offices at its hub in north Liverpool. For a low monthly fee, young entrepreneurs can rent their own workshop/office space. 

They can also access help and advice from the centre manager and other external agencies. To date MYST has supported more than 225 businesses who between them have created over 480 jobs. Now it wants to take the model across the River Mersey and set up a second base in Wirral.

The registered charity says the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic, and subsequent job losses, has led to more people thinking about going into self-employment. It aims to offer a bridge to young entrepreneurs just starting out on that journey.

It explains: “When people who face barriers to conventional employment start and run their own businesses, they earn a new opportunity to create value for not only themselves but also their families and the communities they’re part of.

“However, coming from a disadvantaged background can bring even more challenges when jumping on an entrepreneurial path – which brings up the importance of entrepreneurship for them.”

MYST aims to empower young people who face those barriers to start and build their businesses, by providing bespoke business advice, affordable workspaces, funding opportunities, contacts and networking.

It is seeking potential funders from the Wirral community to sign up to its network and get the chance to not only make the new hub possible but also support thousands of entrepreneurs on their path into a better future.

Kevin Lovelady, centre manager for the association, wants MYST to be a community where entrepreneurs can break down the barriers of mainstream employment and find a friendly ear for good and bad times.

He said: “We help them take responsibility for their own future by exploring the possibility of self-employment. Besides our support, mentoring, workshops, training, and networking opportunities, we build a community environment where creative, like-minded people empower each other during the business cycle.

“We also provide supportive guidance throughout the twists and turns of their self-employment journey in order to push our MYSTers to realise their ambitions”, says Lovelady.”

To find out more about MYST, and donate to the new campaign click here.