National Enterprise Award Winner Displays Award to Local MP

Darlington woman impresses local MP with national Avanta Award.

Rt. Hon. Alan Milburn, MP for Darlington, visited his local Avanta office, where he met Avanta Award Winner Pauline Robson.

Avanta, comprising TNG and InBiz, is a national organisation committed to developing and promoting entrepreneurship, employment and skills. The Avanta Awards recognise individuals who have overcome personal, educational or health-related barriers to excel in their move from benefits into employment and from unemployment into entrepreneurship.

Mr Milburn spoke to Pauline, winner of the 2008 Business Start-Up Award, about her journey to become a successful businesswoman. Mr Milburn learned how InBiz, the self employment arm of Avanta, helped Pauline overcome homelessness as well as other personal and health-related barriers to come off benefits and run her own restaurant.

Mr Milburn said, “It’s a pleasure to see Pauline win the Avanta Award for her achievements in setting up her own business. With help from InBiz, she has overcome adversity to open her restaurant, which I hope to visit soon.

I support the work Avanta does to deliver New Deal employment programmes across the region.”

Annette Semple, InBiz Business Adviser, said, “Pauline is a fantastic example of the work that InBiz does in Darlington. Pauline has worked hard to take the step from benefits to self employment, and having expert, tailored help along the way has helped her business to become a success.”

Pauline said, “I would not have been able to get through everything without the hard work that Annette and InBiz have put into helping me. I am proof that no matter what happens in your life, you can succeed with the right support.”

Mr Milburn also presented Lynne Thompson, Team Leader at TNG, with an ‘Adopt a Charity’ certificate from St Theresa’s Hospice in Darlington. TNG, the employment and skills arm of Avanta, and the hospice have worked together to provide placements, and volunteer opportunities for jobseekers.

TNG volunteers have also helped fundraising for the hospice, with Christmas bag-packers at Marks and Spencer raising £385.

InBiz Preess Release