Our role as a team is to find businesses that need support, advice or assistance in a variety of areas and to signpost or connect them to the relevant service which could assist them. We have a variety of schemes under the umbrella of we{do} and as a collective we are confident we can help improve the sourcing of assistance for SME’s in Preston.

My background is quite varied, I have my own business as a glass designer/maker, I teach mountaineering and have also been a care worker in the past. I have a BA Hons in 3d design and visual communication and have completed various owner/manager business courses. I feel my all round experiences help me gain a strong understanding of the needs of the businesses we meet.

If you have any enquiries or just want to get in touch to let us know about your business please feel free to do so you never know what may come of it.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Most recently I worked for DKNY over in New York City, having won the opportunity via a national design show. The experience could prove to be formative for me as an example of efficiency, team work and professionalism. All of which I hope to utilise fully back here in Preston.

On top of my work for DKNY in New York City, I undertook some exploratory research on behalf of we{do} and Preston City Council. I looked to feed back examples of innovative initiatives relating to Business support, and meet the people behind them. What with my background, and a real excitement for Preston’s creative climate, the leads I chased were often to creative ends. One feeling I had whilst over there is that Preston’s creative infrastructure is heading full steam in the right direction.

Within the multifaceted we{do} project I have a personal realm. This realm involves exploring Preston’s destination value, whilst not forgetting the cities current habitants.

I myself am a fairly recent addition to the Preston populous, having come here from the Midlands to study at UCLAN in 2002. Preston is now my home, and I feel somewhat indebted to the place since my time here has been fruitful. I look forward to being part of the business infrastructure here, as well as the creative one.

Background. Product Design graduate 2002
from the University of Central Lancashire. Designer within the DIU design innovation studio. Computer Aided Product Development undergraduate 2006.

Current Projects.
New product development. Through WEDO this project has been set up to help innovative design companies and creative individuals take their new product ideas from concept to realization utilising new methods of digital development and computer aided manufacture.

The project has partnered with design centres in the region housing new design and manufacturing technologies and can help source funding toward the cost of using these new processes.

The project is open to anyone who has a new product idea, an idea under current development or a need to diversify their existing product range.

Preston Creative Sauce links businesses in the Preston area with Central Lancashire University undergraduates. The creative sauce project exists to give undergraduate creatives the opportunity to work on a professional brief while studying at HE level. WeDo asks local SME’s to submit a project into the Preston creative sauce project bank where it is matched with registered undergraduates who can apply to complete the brief. The sauce is a free service to undergraduates and businesses and aims to help the development of both by exchanging knowledge, experience and accessing new technologies and skill sets.

To find out more and to register your business click on the Creative Sauce link.

Personal Projects.
CAD and rapid prototyping in the creative business is research I am undertaking into the role new methods of computer aided design and rapid prototype techniques take in micro creative businesses.

My name is Elena Gifford. I’m a Business Liaison Officer with the we{do} team at Preston City Council. My role in the Regeneration Division is to work as part of the we{do} team of six, liaising with small businesses in Preston, giving business direction and forming links throughout the city.

I also have a specific realm within the we{do} initiative which involves me building links between UCLAN, the city and small businesses. The University of Central Lancashire has some of the best courses in the UK and my aim is to help Preston benefit from the wealth of student talent here and improve graduate retention.
One of the projects we{do} will soon launch is a website called Preston Creative Sauce. This website will allow small businesses to offer creative work experience to undergraduates at UCLAN.

Like the university, Preston is a fast growing city with new initiatives, developments and shopping areas being born. Independent retailing and independent small businesses are key to Preston evolving as a destination city and so helping ensure the centre develops and offers an individual shopping and business environment is also part of my role.

As well as working for we{do} I am also a freelance Fashion Forecaster, working part time in trend prediction and fashion promotion. After completing my BA Degree at The University of Central Lancashire in Fashion and Brand Promotion I began freelancing for company’s based in London. A year on, I’m working specifically in trend prediction and developing my own business, which is why I was asked to set up The Preston Fashion Forum.

Preston Fashion Forum is a network of businesses working in Preston in the fashion industry. The member businesses range from fashion designers and textile artists to boutique owners and graphic designers. The Forums aim is to enhance the fashion industry in Preston for the businesses and students studying here by holding discussion groups and meetings and offering members the opportunity to grow their business.

Our first event, a catwalk show, was a collaboration between Preston Fashion Forum and The Closet. The event featured the work of local designers and vintage pieces from Oxfam Vintage on Friargate. Over 250 people attended the show and we are now planning further events which could include fashion lectures, industry speakers and fashion exhibitions.

If you are interested in getting into fashion, already work in the industry or would like some business direction please don’t hesitate to contact me.