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.

Many thanks to The Worshipful Company of Marketors for their invaluable support and for facilitating our connection with Accenture. The collaboration with Accenture offered practical support and guidance that empowered our new Firm Futures start-ups with knowledge and confidence in taking their business ideas to the next level.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED AS WE’RE CURRENTLY RUNNING LEVEL 2 OF THE INITIATIVE

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 timetable for level2, 2023

Date &time (10am-12noon)	Workshop topic(s)	Location
18^th Jan	Level 2 induction session with mentors	Slaughter and May offices, 1 Bunhill Row, EC1Y 8YY
22^nd Feb	Business Plan - 90 Day Plan (Survival Strategies and Diversification)	St Luke’s
15^th March	Developing your business beyond Covid-19 (new products and innovation) Guide to Social Media Algorithms, SEO and Metaverse	St Luke’s
19^th April	How to target the right customers and clients TBC	St Luke’s
17^th May	Growth planning: Guest Speaker (Natwest Bank) Reaching New Markets / Survival Strategies	St Luke’s
14^thJune	Online payments	Slaughter and May offices, I Bunhill Row, EC1Y 8YY
5^th July	Business Resource and Tools (Janice to include smartphone session)	St Luke’s
16^th Aug	Legal MOT/surgery (e.g., contracts; data protection; intellectual property)	Slaughter and May offices, 1 Bunhill Row, EC1Y 8YY
20^th Sept	Persuasion and negotiation skills	Slaughter and May offices, 1 Bunhill Row, EC1Y 8YY

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

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