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.

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF THE 2019/2020 INITIATIVE ARE NOW CLOSED

There are two stages:

Level 1 comprises monthly workshops open to an unlimited number of participants (32 in 2018), 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. 10 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.

The next round of the 2019/2020 initiative will commence in September 2019. APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

The first workshop (for registered members of the initiative only) is scheduled to take place on 24th September 2019.

Firm Futures Timeline - Level 1

**FOR REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS ONLY**

Date and time	Workshop topic(s)	Location
24 September 2019 10:30 -12noon	An introduction to self-employment and developing your business idea	St Luke’s
23 October 2019 10-2pm	Market identification, research and testing	St Luke’s
27 November 2019 10-2pm	Business and financial planning 30 mins coffee/networking to end	Slaughter and May
21st January 2020 10-2pm	Marketing and creating a digital presence	Slaughter and May
February 2020 Time TBC	Moving from benefits into business (1 hr) 30 mins break Meet the bank manager (1 hr)	St Luke’s
March 2020 Time TBC	Legal issues: The basics	Slaughter and May
May 2020 Time TBC	Presenting, pitching and networking Developing your personal brand	Slaughter and May

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

For more information about the initiative, please contact us on [email protected] / Tel 020 7549 8181.

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We own a large Community Centre on the edge of the City of London, a diverse area containing extremes of wealth and poverty. Our modern Community Centre provides a space for local people to gather and socialise, and for us and other organisations to deliver services and activities to the local community at low or no cost to them. We also work outside in the community supporting other groups and running community events.
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