Firm Futures

The relationship with the mentor was the key thing for me - he gave me confidence and practical support which helped me believe in myself and take my business forward.

Firm Futures is an initiative that helps people in Islington and the surrounding area, who are not in permanent, full-time employment, set up their own businesses.

Through a series of monthly workshops, Firm Futures builds the confidence and skills needed to set up a business and provides a free package of support including a grant, mentoring and subsidised workspace.

Firm Futures is delivered through a unique partnership between three Islington organisations that are working together to support local people in becoming self-employed: law firm Slaughter and May, St Luke’s Community Centre and enterprise experts B Consultancy.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.

There are two stages:

Level 1 comprises monthly workshops open to an unlimited number of participants, including those who may not know if self-employment is for them. The aim is to develop confidence, business skills and self-employment know-how.

Level 2 provides subsidised workspace at St Luke’s, mentors and more in-depth workshops to guide the participants through the process of creating a detailed business plan and launching their business. Ten individuals receive a grant of up to £2,000 to cover start-up costs.

There would be an assessment at the end of Level 1. Your commitment and active participation in Level 1 of the project cycle can then take you onto level 2 of the initiative.

The project was first launched in 2013 and has seen single parents, young entrepreneurs and those not able to find full-time employment secure a place. Of the 27 businesses that received support, 67% are still trading or are close to trading.

The businesses that have taken off as a result of support from Firm Futures include a branding business, a bakery, baby massage, yoga teaching, personalised embroidered gifts, mobile beauty business, a freelance photographer and a florist stall.

To Apply: Applicants must live in Islington, or in one of the following postcodes: EC2, EC3, EC4, E1W, E1, E2, N4, N5, N6, N7, N16, N19, NW1, WC1, and WC2.

Firm Futures Example Timeline. Level 1 - 2022/2023 Cohort

Date & time (10am-12noon)	Workshop topic(s)	Location
Dec 2021-Early March 2022	Recruitment and promotion – Applications open	St Luke’s
23^rd March 2022	An introduction to self-employment and developing your business idea	Slaughter and May offices, 1 Bunhill Row, EC1Y 8YY
27^th April 2022	Market identification, research and testing	St Luke’s
18^th May 2022	Business and financial planning	St Luke’s
22^nd June 2022	Marketing and creating a digital presence	Slaughter and May offices, 1 Bunhill Row, EC1Y 8YY
20^th July 2022	Moving from benefits into business (1 hr) 30 mins break Meet the bank manager (1 hr)	St Luke’s
17^th August 2022	Legal issues: The basics	Slaughter and May offices, 1 Bunhill Row, EC1Y 8YY
14^th Sept 2022	Presenting, pitching and networking Developing your personal brand	St Luke’s
W/C 26^th Sept 2022	Level 1 Assessment – everyone is invited to submit an application for Level2. Final session for filling in applications for L2	N/A
W/c 24 Oct 2022	Application judging	N/A
November 2022	Confirm L2 participants and mentors / L1 celebration event	N/A

For more information about the initiative or to register your interest, please contact us by email / telephone 020 7549 8181.

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What we do and who we help

We are a community hub in South Islington providing services, activities and events for local residents of all ages, including after school clubs, employment support and gardening for older people. Our large, modern community centre on Central Street is a great backdrop for our varied activities and we have several outdoor areas for visitors to enjoy. Our spaces are also available to hire for community groups or private functions.
Garden Room

With its own private entrance and exclusive use of a terrace garden, this spacious and flexible room offers the perfect setting for conferences, seminars, training events and parties. It is a blank canvas to create the right setting and configuration for your event, and benefits from neutral, stylish décor and lots of natural light.
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The Loft occupies the whole third floor of the Community Centre, and has exclusive use of an entrance (ante) room, kitchen area and toilet, within this spacious and versatile area. It is bright and airy, and ideal for meetings, conferences, training, seminars or less formal events. Its exposed Victorian steel beams and skylight windows offer wonderful views over the roof tops of London.
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Do you live in our area of benefit? You could become a member at St Luke's for a one-off charge of just £5. Our Centre offers services and activities every day for all ages, including art, exercise and gardening groups and a daily lunch club.
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About the Cookery School

Our stylish, contemporary Cookery School in central London opened in 2012 as a self-funding facility to enable St Luke’s to deliver free or low-cost cookery classes and projects to benefit our community, which are funded by the private hire of the School.
Firm Futures

Firm Futures is a collaboration between St Luke's, law firm Slaughter and May and enterprise experts B Consultancy. The project was launched in 2013, since then the Firm Futures has now run 4 cohorts and we’ve seen a wide range of applicants secure a place on the initiative including single parents, young entrepreneurs and those not able to find full time employment.
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We offer a range of free or low cost activities and support for families living in south Islington. From free after school kids' clubs, giving children the opportunity to try different activities, to school holiday camps, there's something to suit every family. Find out what St Luke's has to offer.