A programme set up between Leeds Trinity University and business partners has boosted local enterprise and raised £2,500 for the Inspiring Futures Programme.

Launched in January 2019, Trinity Turbo was set up to raise business profiles and encourage students to gain real-life work experience in PR, social media and marketing. Six Yorkshire businesses took part, donating a fee to the University's Inspiring Futures Programme Enterprise Fund, which financially supports recent graduates who want to develop their own business or freelancing career.

Business partners this year included an award-winning social media agency, a web designer, a wellness coach and an online running community. They were supported through personalised packages which featured: business mentoring, specialist consultation with a Leeds Trinity expert, access to the University's Enterprise Centre, and individual PR, social media or marketing campaigns designed by Leeds Trinity students.

16 students took part in the programme and are studying for degrees in Media, Marketing and Journalism. Between January and March 2019, students created tailored campaigns for the businesses, followed by a six-week professional work placement to implement the campaign.

Media and Marketing student Victoria Archibald worked with online running community 12in12 to deliver their PR campaign. She said: "12in12 was an incredible company to work for and I've absolutely loved having my placement with them. I gained transferable skills that are valuable in any job, and many skills that will help me to secure employment in the social media industry."

She added: "With the help of Trinity Turbo and specifically Liz Cable [Senior Lecturer in Media and Marketing at Leeds Trinity], I was able to take on board her advice and take the company's PR campaign in the right direction."

Jane Tesseyman, Founder of 12in12 and Leeds Trinity University alumna, said: "The Trinity Turbo programme gave 12in12 a great opportunity to work on a PR campaign with two fantastic students, Victoria and Harkiran. We used FaceTime to watch their presentation from Melbourne, giving us an insight into working internationally which we are in the early stages of doing.

"We were then lucky enough to have Victoria join us for her work placement - she came into the business with a strong insight into our aims and values and proved to be a great asset. I'd certainly recommend the programme to any business out there, no matter how well established, as fresh sets of eyes often see things that we fail to pick up on."

Amy Lund, Senior Teaching Fellow at Leeds Trinity University and Trinity Turbo coordinator, said: "Trinity Turbo has been a real success. Students experienced authentic work-integrated learning with real-life clients. Our business partners have benefitted from a range of expertise including; business coaching, bespoke PR campaigns and individual consultations with specialist lecturers."

She added: "It is the partners, students and lecturers that have made this programme so successful and the close relationships that have been formed reflect Leeds Trinity's 'name not a number' ethos. We look forward to continuing our support and welcoming new business partners."

The business partners for this year's programme were:High Trenhouse, a centre for management and creativity at Malham Moor, Settle;Shoo Social Media, an award-winning social media, marketing, strategy and implementation agency in Ilkley;WH Creative, a Halifax-based web designer crafting web solutions for SMEs;Natural Transformation, a wellness coach and therapist;12in12, an online running community; andApollo3d, providers of 3D immersive property, event and location experiences.

?The University's Inspiring Futures Programme Enterprise Fund has financially supported 18 graduates since it launched in 2016. Graduates have used the funding to develop their own businesses aroundstudent music events,band management,summer sports camps,e-commerce trainer sales,marketing andsocial enterprise, as well as supporting afreelance nutritionist andprofessional singer.

Find out more aboutTrinity Turbo and how the University can support your business. ????