A free course is being offered by The Women’s Organisation for economically inactive women and men in Liverpool city region who are considering becoming self-employed. Tony McDonough reports

People living in Liverpool city region who are currently economically inactive and may be interested in becoming self-employed can enrol on a free course.

Start It Up is open to both women and men in Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens and Halton who are not in paid employment or economically inactive (perhaps a student, homemaker, taking a career break or retired).

It will offer participants the opportunity to explore whether setting up a small business is for them. Expert business advisors will offer clear, jargon-free guidance across online Zoom sessions. Help is available to individuals who do not have the right equipment or don’t know how to access Zoom.

Being delivered by Liverpool social enterprise, The Women’s Organisation, Start It Up will take place across two, two-hour sessions on consecutive days. And if you are unable to attend the first course, it will be repeated later in the month:

• Session One: Thursday, June 17, 10am to 12pm – Entrepreneurial Thinking: Exploring whether you are ready for business ownership, exploring ideas.
• Session Two: Friday, June 18, 10am to 12pm. Knowing where to start: Establishing how your values and beliefs connect to your business aims and objectives, what it means to set up a business in 2021.

The course will then be repeated on Tuesday, June 22, and Wednesday, June 23, at 1pm to 3pm on both days. Those who meet the eligibility criteria will have opportunity to access a £100 grant to support their next steps and will be offered further support to plan their business.

The Women’s Organisation delivers Enterprise Hub, which is Liverpool city region’s principal business start-up or early stage support programme. Enterprise Hub is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The course is funded by the European Social Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund.

Jackie Williams, director of enterprise at The Women’s Organisation, said: “At a time when funding is scarce and we’re more conscious than ever about extended care and childcare responsibilities, we’ve introduced the Start It Up programme and a £100 grant in the hope that people within the Liverpool city region with ambitions to create their own employment, will feel empowered to take those first steps.

“Start It Up is packed with information, practical advice and tips on launching your own business and with added interactive elements, we’re looking forward to working with local people to fully explore the prospect of self-employment.”

• To register for the course taking place on June 17 and June 18 click here.
• To register for the course taking place on June 22 and June 23 click here.

You can also book a place, or find out more information about eligibility, by calling the engagement team at The Women’s Organisation on 0151 706 8111 or emailing hello@thewo.org.uk. Places are limited are registration ends on Tuesday, June 15, at 9am.