Regulator announces that the first comunity interest company has been registered in Northern Ireland
Skills for Life – Learning Centre Community Interest Company (CIC) is the first community interest company to be registered in Northern Ireland, taking advantage of the legislation introduced recently.
Geoffrey Wright, founder Director of Skills for Life – Learning Centre Community Interest Company, said; “It is not just the formation of the company which is ground breaking in Northern Ireland but also the creation of a recognised and Open College Network accredited programme based on yoga principles through which participants can seek to enhance their quality of life. It is open to all ages from 12 years irrespective of physical or mental ability and the standard of accreditation progresses to National Qualification Framework recognised at level III.
“It works through a process of learning, valuing, applying and if desired, passing on the skills to others as a facilitator through a mentoring module. The Skills for Life Learning Centre C.I.C. provides the ideal mechanism to facilitate the passing on of life skills thus giving any community the tools to maximise and invest in its own skills. Yoga for Life and Work courses have successfully pioneered this method of personal development and community investment in Life Skills in a range of community, educational and work settings within Northern Ireland.”
Sara Burgess the Regulator of Community Interest Companies said; “This is exciting news and I want to congratulate Skills for Life – Learning Centre Community Interest Company on becoming the first in Northern Ireland. Currently, there are nearly 1,300 community interest companies throughout the United Kingdom working within communities bringing a variety of benefits to those they serve.
“Community interest companies continue to go from strength to strength putting the community at the heart of what they do, delivering services in areas, such as, health, housing, transport and education. The momentum continues to grow and the commitment of those involved is heart warming.”
Noel Lavery, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, said; “I welcome the formation of the first Community Interest Company in Northern Ireland.
“The CIC is a valuable addition to the menu of legal choices facing social economy enterprises and I would expect to see more entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland choosing this new model to make a positive difference in their communities.
“There are already many people involved in community enterprise in Northern Ireland and I would encourage them to talk to Sara Burgess, the Regulator of Community Interest Companies to find out more about this new legal form and how it can be used.”