Start a Business Programme
The “Start a Business Programme” provides a free package of support to help you to make the transition into self-employment. Funded by Invest Northern Ireland, the EU and Belfast City Council, the programme is designed to support any kind of new business venture, either on a full time or part time basis. Support Includes:

Business Advisory Service
Providing one-to-one mentoring/business counselling with an accredited Business Adviser to assist you in all aspects of starting your business

Business Training Course
To help you understand the practicalities of selling up and running your own business. This takes the form of an evening course, running two evenings each week over 4 weeks. Topics include:

• Marketing & Sales
• Financial Management
• Legal Issues

Business and Financial Planning Service
Support is provided to assist each business in the compilation of a business plan. This document can be used to identify potential sources of funding available and to access programme grant support and business loans.

Ongoing Support
To assist you through your first year of business. During this time your Business Adviser will direct you to other programme which you may benefit from in developing your businesss.

Who is eligible?
Anyone who is 18 years of over who is considering starting a new business. The Programme supports full time and part time business. For further information or to set up/arrange a meeting to discuss the programme in more detail contact Emma Dyer, Business Adviser on 0289061 0826 or via e-mail emma.dyer@workwest.co.uk.

Unemployed for 6 months or more? Want to set up a business?
New Deal may be the programme for you!!

Q What is the process?

Q How will starting a business affect your benefits?
If you are on new Deal for young people or New Deal 25+ and you need time to build up your business you can “Test Trade” for up to 26 weeks. This means that you can continue to receive benefits, equivalent to Job Seekers Allowance plus a top up grant.

Any money which your business makes during this period goes into a business bank account which you jointly manage with your business adviser. The money in your account can only be used for spending on the business until the Test Trading period is over.

Grant Assistance
Under the New Deal Programme you will receive £750 grant assistance which is payable in two instalments: £375.00 the beginning of Test Trading and £375.00 once you have completed the 26 weeks test trading period.

If however you feel at any stage that self employment is not for you, you simply rejoin the main New Deal Programme to find paid work.

Visit the new deal site

To arrange an appointment simply contact your Business Adviser, Emma Dyer, on 02890 610826 or via e-mail emma.dyer@workwest.co.uk.

Alternatively speak with your personal adviser at your local job centre.