Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, in Partnership with LEDCOM is launching a new 40+ Fresh Start Programme starting in November 2022.
The Fresh Start Programme aims to provide support to people aged 40+ who want to explore opportunities available to them through entrepreneurship or self-employment.
For those aged over 40 to 64, around one person in every three is unemployed. Of those employed in this age group, around 20 percent run their own businesses, and these ventures tend to have a better survival rate than those run by younger entrepreneurs.
The experience of Covid-19 lockdowns and working from home have caused many people to reassess their work/life aspirations, including the possibility of exploring self-employment as an option.
Taking the form of blended workshops, Fresh Start has been designed to provide support to those who want to explore opportunities available to them through entrepreneurship and self-employment.
The programme is FREE and does not require you to have any knowledge of self-employment, just an interest in finding out more. It will be delivered by workshops/webinars and face to face sessions, on a range of introductory business topics.
Launching the programme Deputy Mayor Councillor Beth Adger MBE said:
“The growth in younger entrepreneurs, particularly amongst those aged 18 to 24, has been making headlines – but entrepreneurship is also an option for older workers, particularly in the current economic situation. Those 40 and over have a wide range of skills and experiences which could be turned into successful self-employment opportunities.”
Ken Nelson MBE, CEO of LEDCOM commented:
“Many over 40’s are now choosing to work for themselves as they want more autonomy, having spent most or all of their careers working for other people, and the thought of the flexibility available to entrepreneurs is an appealing option.”
Angela Sutton from SVANNA Ltd, a participant on the previous Fresh Start Programme, found the support and guidance invaluable in helping her take the next steps.
Angela said:
“Having previously worked as a Business Manager in both the Public and Private sectors, I have always wanted to run my own business. Spotting a gap in the market, I contacted LEDCOM for advice in taking the first steps. Through their Fresh Start programme I was able to network, complete a Business Plan and have recently been awarded an Invest NI Innovation Voucher to take by business to the next level. I have genuinely found the help and support I have received from these programmes and from the whole team, invaluable.”
To access support from the programme, you must be a resident within the area of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, aged 40+ and looking for a fresh start.To find out more information and to register contact Anne Taylor on:
T: 07860951733 / 02828269973