Our services |
Start up support for people who face extra barriers to enterprise
Enterprise Exchange recognise that many people dream of running their own business and have inspiring ideas, but for various reasons, they have barriers to face and hurdles to get over. We have extensive experience of working with people from deprived areas and with disadvantaged backgrounds; many of our clients are offenders, ex-offenders, long-term unemployed, have mental health issues, are lone parents or are from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Our services:-
Enterprise Exchange recognise that many people dream of running their own business and have inspiring ideas, but for various reasons, they have barriers to face and hurdles to get over. We have extensive experience of working with people from deprived areas and with disadvantaged backgrounds; many of our clients are offenders, ex-offenders, long-term unemployed, have mental health issues, are lone parents or are from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Our services:-
- Workshops - These cover an introduction to self employment, business planning and sales and marketing. The workshops are a chance for like minded people to come together to start to plan their new businesses and set up their own networks.
- One to one meetings - These give our clients the chance to talk through their ideas in a supportive environment. We are able to look at issues of self esteem, confidence and wellbeing, as well as business planning.
- Follow up support - This continues once businesses get going. We have been involved with many people for whom starting their own business has turned their lives around and given them much more than just a regular income.
Management development programme for corporate clients
For organisations involved in this program, there are a number of positive outcomes – not least, they will be seen as pioneers in an area that has had little support from the corporate world. It is clear that many prisoners come from the most socially and financially excluded groups in society. By helping offenders start their own businesses and become financially independent, they have the potential to become customers or clients in the future.
Not only does this program offer great corporate social responsibility opportunities (CSR), but has proven with our work with Legal & General and John Lewis, that mentors have gone back into the workplace with more business skills and with a wider perspective. We have also run this scheme with long term unemployed and are flexible to work with a client group of your choice (for example, ex service personnel).
- We train managers from the corporate sector, to work with disadvantaged individuals as personal mentors.
- We provide specialist, intensive training to learn the technical skills required to become effective mentors.
- Mentors are challenged to deal with a client group that will be unfamiliar to them, which enhances skills that translate directly back into the workplace.
- Mentors gain the satisfaction of knowing that they have made a real difference to someone’s life.
For organisations involved in this program, there are a number of positive outcomes – not least, they will be seen as pioneers in an area that has had little support from the corporate world. It is clear that many prisoners come from the most socially and financially excluded groups in society. By helping offenders start their own businesses and become financially independent, they have the potential to become customers or clients in the future.
Not only does this program offer great corporate social responsibility opportunities (CSR), but has proven with our work with Legal & General and John Lewis, that mentors have gone back into the workplace with more business skills and with a wider perspective. We have also run this scheme with long term unemployed and are flexible to work with a client group of your choice (for example, ex service personnel).
Employment Adviser Training
Welfare to work organisations, charities, housing associations and social enterprises have many experienced advisers when it comes to employment. Often these advisers have some gaps when talking to clients about self employment options. This can be legal and tax, benefits, business planning and signposting to funders and other specialist organisations. Enterprise Exchange has an Employment Adviser training program (1 or 2 days) to give your advisers the confidence to have that initial conversation and support your clients effectively.
What we cover:-
This highly interactive and practical course will upskill your teams at a time when self employment is becoming a major option for the hard to reach. We can deliver to all levels of knowledge. Some of our satisfied clients are Maximus, Prospects, G4S, Hyde Housing Association and National Careers Service.
Welfare to work organisations, charities, housing associations and social enterprises have many experienced advisers when it comes to employment. Often these advisers have some gaps when talking to clients about self employment options. This can be legal and tax, benefits, business planning and signposting to funders and other specialist organisations. Enterprise Exchange has an Employment Adviser training program (1 or 2 days) to give your advisers the confidence to have that initial conversation and support your clients effectively.
What we cover:-
- Pros and cons of self employment.
- Legal and tax.
- Benefits and self employment.
- What does success look like.
- Keeping start up costs down.
- Funding options.
- Importance of business planning.
This highly interactive and practical course will upskill your teams at a time when self employment is becoming a major option for the hard to reach. We can deliver to all levels of knowledge. Some of our satisfied clients are Maximus, Prospects, G4S, Hyde Housing Association and National Careers Service.
Don't take our word for it - Read testimonials here
