Go For It Programme (Regional Start Initiative) 2013-2014

 We can help you get started and Go For It!
East Belfast Enterprise is the local delivery agent for the Regional Start Imitative funded by Invest Northern Ireland. If you are thinking about starting a business soon, or have just launched, this is your best starting point. Under the Regional start Initiative you will receive the following help to get you started:

• An initial meeting with our Enterprise Executive who can discuss your idea with you and point you in the right direction within a confidential one to one setting
• A dedicated Business Advisor to help you with completing a robust Business Plan to help you set your goals for the coming period, improve your chances of gaining financial support and guide you on how to run your business and compete in the marketplace
• Advice on how best to use Invest NI’s  free NIBusinessInfo portal

Your Business Advisor will also assist you with:

• Information on current grants, funding & business loans available within the marketplace, as well as any specific sectorial support available.
• Advice on where to find the right type of expert/specialist for businesses setting up in food, manufacturing, IT, creative industries and the health & fitness sector.
• Advice on taking on premises, virtual offices or hot-desking solutions to give your launch a professional look

Contact East Belfast Enterprise to arrange an appointment with our Enterprise Executive by calling 028 9094 2010 or email Reception@eastbelfast.org

Steps To Work

Are you unemployed and looking for the opportunity to start your own business?

Steps to Work (StW) is a Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) initiative that became widely available on 29th September 2008, after a successful pilot from April 2007 across four Jobs & Benefits Offices.

Steps to Work is described as a new and fresh approach to assisting people find gainful employment. Its menu-based approach provides a flexible way to help people with their individual employment and training needs.

The programme effectively enables individuals an opportunity to set up in business and Test Trade for a period of up to 26 weeks, whilst still retaining their benefits and gaining an additional weekly training allowance of 15.38.

People claiming Jobseekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Income Support are all eligible for support!
So if you have a good business idea, why not Go For It and ask your Personal Advisor at your Local Job Centre, to refer you to your nearest Enterprise agency for a chat with one our Advisors.

Benefits of the Programme:

• Get to try viability of business idea first, while retaining benefits
• Free small business training course
• Access to a dedicated Business Advisor for on-going advice and support
• Assistance towards childcare available for eligible participants
• £15.38 training premium per week

As a Steps To Work Self Employment Option provider, East Belfast Enterprise, will help you explore your business idea through our Start A Business Programme and then provide support and ongoing advice during your Test Trading period.

Think it might be of interest? Then Contact Kat on 90 942 010 for more information, or email kat@eastbelfast.org

Exploring Enterprise

Exploring Enterprise is a free pre start enterprise programme which enables participants to identify a viable business idea whilst allowing them to work towards achieving a recognised qualification.  East Belfast Enterprise delivers this programme locally on behalf of Enterprise Northern Ireland.

The objective of the programme is to increase awareness and offer training and development to potential entrepreneurs from disadvantaged communities and underrepresented groups (e.g. lone parents; women, the over fifties; youth and ethnic minorities). Participants must be unemployed and over 16 years of age.

Participants do not need to have a specific business idea to join; as the programme provides a complete overview and insight into starting a business.

On successful completion of this CCEA accredited training course participants will be awarded QCF Level 2 in Understanding Business Enterprise after undertaking accredited modules in Self-Assessment, Marketing, Finance and Planning in Business.

This programme is part funded by the European Social Fund and the Department for Employment & Learning.

To Find out more information Contact Lisa Barwise at East Belfast Enterprise on 028 90 942 010 or email lisabarwise@eastbelfast.org

Lipstick & Money 2

The Lipstick & Money 2 programme is an exciting programme that East Belfast Enterprise have been running for 6 years, helping to give women who have been unemployed, new confidence to get back into employment or self-employment. Lipstick & Money 2 is offered at your local community centre with this year’s clients having the option to gain a OCF Level 2 qualification in Understanding Business Enterprise.
Group Sessions for the Lipstick & Money 2 Programme include:

• Because I am Worth it
• Back to the Future
• A Few Quid Better Off?
• Whose Idea is it Anyway?
• How to Make Money at things you enjoy!
• More on Making Money
• A fun Enterprise Challenge to launch a group business and practice the art of running a business!

This programme is designed to help motivate females, providing them with tools and confidence to help them focus towards employment or self-employment.
This programme is part funded by the European Social Fund and the Department for Employment & Learning.

To find out more information contact Lisa Kennedy at East Belfast Enterprise on 028 90 942 010 or Email lisa@eastbelfast.org

Health2Wealth

Health2Wealth is a new innovative programme aimed towards unemployed people interested in the Fitness Industry. Working with our partner organisation Leisure Industry Academy, we provide advice and training to clients who are wanting to explore the option of self-employment in Health and Fitness.
Combining a unique and interactive approach the programme offers:

• Practical Fitness Theory
• Fun Group Workout Sessions
• Enterprise Training

Benefits include:

• Free Recognised Qualifications in business, fitness and first aid
• Valuable Skills & CV Experience
• Access to Fitness Industry Professionals
• On-going Support & Signposting to advanced fitness and business courses
• Advice on funding and finance available to get started

All in a Short 4 Week Course!

To find out more information contact Kelly at East Belfast Enterprise on 028 90 942 010 or email kelly@eastbelfast.org

Megabytes

Megabytes is a new exciting programme designed to provide training and support for those looking to launch businesses Online or using online tools. The programme aims to inspire and motivate youth that are finding it difficult to gain employment, to explore the option of self-employment and identify this as a viable alternative.  All participants receive a recognised qualification QCF Level 2 in Understanding Business Enterprise, on completion of the course.
The programme offers a range of subjects they include:

• Web Design Templates for Starting a Business
• Creating Videos for Businesses Using YouTube
• Buying & Selling on Ebay
• Using Social Networking to Promote Business (Facebook, Twitter, My Space)
• Online & Text Marketing
• Online Resources for Businesses (Constant Contact, Survey Monkey, Just Giving)