Eastleigh-based educational charity Skill Quest Trust has called in insolvency experts

Eastleigh-based Skill Quest Trust, a charity responsible for the Solent Education Business Partnership, has confirmed to the Daily Echo that it is seeking the advice of financial specialists.

Based in Woodside Road, Eastleigh, it supports young people in developing employment skills with projects involving the business community.

The registered charity is said to employ 26 people and has 320 volunteers.

Stuart Lisle, chairman of the Skill Quest Trust board of trustees, said: “The board of trustees has met to discuss the future of the charity.

“We have taken advice from an insolvency practitioner. From there we will determine where we go.”

He declined to comment on the reasons behind the charity’s dire financial circumstances or what it meant for its future current work with youngsters and vulnerable adults.

The troubled charity, which had support from Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, is known in Hampshire for its work helping develop life skills and vocational skills with a range of projects in schools across the county.

It also assists in organising work experience as well as offering career and training guidance.

The current uncertainty comes just over three months after it won a major windfall for its project to expand Riverside Community Garden Project in Bishopstoke – once known as Ashtrim Garden Centre.

It secured £50,000 of ITV Meridian People’s Millions, funded by the Big Lottery to restore the centre into a sustainable community garden growing plants and vegetables, as well as hosting a tea room, play area and sensory garden for children.

The charity also hosts the Solent Skills Festival, a local Skills UK event, pictured below, which was held at the City Cruise Terminal in October.

It’s annual Amazing People Awards to celebrate the exceptional partnership work that benefits young people and vulnerable adults preparing for working life and economic wellbeing, across the Southampton city region was due to be held in July.

Maureen Frost, deputy chief executive of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, pictured below, said: “Preparing young people for work is a key issue for business and the work of the EBPs across Hampshire has been instrumental in this, so it is disappointing to hear this news.

“A number of our business members have worked with the Solent EBP on projects and will remain willing to work with local schools in the future.

“Hampshire Chamber will continue to work with the Portsmouth and SE Hampshire Education Business Partnership to assist where we can in supporting the schools previously covered by the Solent EBP.”