A new scheme designed to help graduates living in Norfolk network with each other and further their career prospects has been launched by the University of East Anglia.

More than 50 people gathered to attend the first Graduate Network session at the Dog House, in Norwich, last night.

The scheme is the idea of 23-year-old Katie Konyn, a marketing and communications intern working with the UEA's Graduate Internship Programme.

Miss Konyn, a recent creative writing graduate from Norwich University College of the Arts (NUCA) and who lives in the north of the city, said: 'I thought back to how I was feeling when I finished my degree. A lot of my friends had moved away and it was difficult to stay motivated.

'The idea of Graduate Network is to put graduates in touch with each other, so they can share their stories, support each other and keep focused. It is open to everyone regardless of where they graduated, and the feedback we get from the graduates will help us decide how to run Graduate Network in the future.'

She said it was hoped Graduate Network would meet every month. While the initiative has been launched by the Graduate Internship Programme, the long term plan is for it to be run by the graduates themselves, and Miss Konyn said she was keen to hear from people who would like to get involved.

Fiona Costello, 24, who has moved to Norwich after completing a masters degree in child studies at King's College London, said: 'Graduate Network is a great idea. It is good to meet up with other graduates who are in the same boat as you are.'

Michael Blackman, 24, from Mattishall and who has a degree in animation from NUCA, said: 'It is quite a difficult time for graduates at the moment. My friends and I are taking every opportunity we can, and things like Graduate Network are really helpful.'

t For more information on Graduate Network call 01603 591574, email evolveinternship@uea.ac.uk or visit http://www.uea.ac.uk/nbs/intern/intro

t Do you have a story for the Evening News? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk