Be Your Own Boss Graduation 2025 at SERC

The latest cohort of the Be Your Own Boss course at SERC celebrated their graduation at SERC’s Downpatrick Campus on Wednesday 26 March.

Be Your Own Boss, was funded through the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal Fund from the Department for Communities (DfC) and was delivered by SERC with partner support from County Down Rural Community Network (CDRCN). The programme saw 12 students successfully complete a 12-week course, which offered local people the opportunity to learn some of the skills and knowledge required to start up and run their own business.

Local business owners Ciara Douglas and Pierce Crane also supported participants by sharing their experiences of starting and growing their businesses, Making Memories for You and Tattoos by Pierce.

Paul Walsh, SERC’s Downpatrick Campus Manager and Head of Learner Welfare, presented certificates to Misha Cherneko, Sorcha Curran, Terri Curran, Kerry Laverty, Donna Marks, and Alison McCarthy. Connor Annett, Babs Whelan, Cushla Flynn, Sophie Gordon, and Paula O’Reilly also completed the programme.  

Speaking at the event, Natasha Lloyd, Senior Innovation Advisor at SERC said, “The course was a new experience for many of the participants - some of whom had not been in an educational setting for a long time. Over the past 12 weeks, they have developed solutions to complex real-world challenges, learnt to use new software, pitched ideas to their peers and achieved two qualifications, all whilst growing their confidence, meeting new people and developing new venture start up business ideas. It is a first step to developing the skills, attitude and thinking, that could lead to a successful business, and I am immensely proud of their achievements throughout the course.”

Check out our socials for more photos from the celebration which will be posted shortly.