Eddie McArdle

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My Rebel Years saw me ”travel the land” in Australia and then  my working life with a FMCG giant took me into Asia, USA and Mainland Europe.

A rich tapestry of experiences from privileged expat to humble labourer.

I quickly learned that it is Community which is the  foundation on  which a fruitful life is built  and usually the young who drive the trajectory upwards.

The young , however,  who also need the guidance, mentoring, encouragement and doorstep opportunities to progress. No need to emigrate.

Every young person of any level of ability, from whichever corner of  the world and in to whichever circumstances they started life deserves no less.

The yeast they offer in return is the enthusiasm to make their locality flourish and  grow...

So my personal guiding principles come from an adherence to the Japanese code  of IKIGAI

NOT a Religion or a Cult but “a reason to jump out of bed each morning and a reason to add to the wellbeing of the Community we inhabit“

Born on Tyneside my wife and I have  lived in the Mole Valley, in Surrey, for more than four decades and our children were schooled here.

Now, in this era of new, fast moving challenges, my colleagues and I are determined to focus our support on the youngsters of our local Community.

This is a period when the more disadvantaged youngsters  on our doorstep need support.

Whilst at the same time our Community needs to learn and harness a wider range of traditional and contemporary Skills.

So we are dedicated as THE LINKS CENTRE 2030 to work locally with Civil Society, Local Government, Academia and Business to “square that circle" until at least the end of the decade. By which time hopefully the Community can fend for itself.

BUT we Band of Brothers (no Sisters yet) are not enough to move the needle fast enough or far enough. COME AND JOIN US AND MAKE THE DIFFERENCE