My local job centre couldn't help me

[JoyDivision]

They didn't seem to know about the benefits and they didn't know of any organisations which could help other than this scheme for people that have been unemployed for 6 months (which I have not).

I am really confused now becuase I don't know where the nearest agency which can help free charge is. At university we were told that loads of places exist but where? The one at university has closed due to a lack of funding.

There is inbiz but my nearest one is in Rochdale (20 miles away - city traffic=2+hours on the bus) and I am not sure if they can help me or not.

[mumper]

Hi JoyDivision,

Have I missed another post on this topic? I don't understand what you're asking!

[mumper]

Sorry - just spotted the original post :oops:

[DuaneJackson]

What specific help do you need? What's stopping you from starting the business right now?

[Jayne]

Hi,

Forget the job centre (we call them the joke shop up here :D )

Borrow some cash and get started with your biz..or get a job for a while to raise enough cash to get started.

My Gran says...Don't talk about it, do it!

Jayne

[Marina Stone]

I agree with Jayne.. Don't talk about it, do it.

I think you are allowed to work for 16 hours and still claim your benefits. Get a part-time job for a little extra income and start your business at the same time.

Perhaps if you made a decision and made a plan of what you need to do to start your new business by listing ideas etc. It would keep you more focussed.

Marina

[MarkPearson]

Have you thought about the princes trust?

[JoyDivision]

I've looked into the princess trust but it seems to be more geared towards people with no qualifications or disadvantaged backgrounds.

I agree about the lack of focus though, I have started work on the site last night so at least that is somthing. What I really need to for now is get a phone line (I can't use my parents), produce a business plan and work out how I am going to advertise.

I am hoping I won't need any external funding.

I also need to think of a name :D Although I am going with M21 Web at the moment.

[DuaneJackson]

M21 is a bad name, it's very hard (read: expensive) to build good emotions around a brand name that is made up of just initials/numbers.

As for the Trust, you're right - that is their main criteria. It varies in differnet parts of the countries as to how strict they are about that. As you don't need money though, you wont get any support there.

Business Link?

[ebonybailey]

If you are looking for funding speak to the Princes Trust they also give you a mentor too.

[JoyDivision]

I think a need a mentor more than funding. Just somthing to keep my focussed. I am also having to apply to jobs to keep the job centre happy.

My sister thought M21 was a bad name as well, its my local postcode.

I went to my local business link place (Manchester Chamber) but they couldn't really help they did suggest some other place might be able to offer guidance so I need to phone them.

[Agri-Hire]

You are messing about too much, just get on with it.

You will learn through trial and error and there are plenty of people on here to help with problems and concerns that may arise.

If you do't do something we will think you are all talk and no action, then we will lose faith in you. Act now while the wind is with you, (so to speak)

Personally speaking I only help those who help themselves.

Get on with it!
:P

[Ned]

Hi, I live in the Manchester area and recently went to a business awareness session with TBV (www.tbv.co.uk) and they gave me a mentor- business advisor, and it was all really helpful and free. Here's some info I was originally given, hope it helps.....

BUSINESS ADVICE CENTRES
First of all you will need to get your business ideas down on paper. Your nearest Business Advice Centre will help you put the plan together. They will arrange a meeting with you and help you through the process of putting together a business plan.


Bolton Business Support Unit Bolton Business Investment CentreCommerce House, Bridgeman PlaceBOLTON BL2 1DW (Tel 01204-336-163 Fax 01204-336-197)

Manchester Business Consortium 2nd Floor, Fourways House,57 Hilton Street,MANCHESTER, M1 2EJ(Tel 0161-236-1168 Fax 0161-236-1178)

TBV Business Services OldhamSuite 1 Italia House Business CentrePass StreetOLDHAM OL9 6HZ(Tel 0161-976-4243 Fax 0161-976-4245)

In Biz Rochdale 75/77, Drake Street,ROCHDALE OL16 1SB(Tel 01706-648-262 Fax 01706-712-161)

A4E New Deal (Salford)5th Floor, St. James’ House,Pendleton Way, SALFORD M6 5FW(Tel 0161-736-7070)To be referred through Job Centre Plus

TBV Business Services Stockport1 St Peters SquareSTOCKPORT SK1 1NN(Tel 0161-976-4243 Fax 0161-976-4245)

TBV Business Services TraffordNelson HousePark RoadTIMPERLEY WA14 5BZ (Tel 0161-976-4243 Fax 0161-976-4245)

Economic DevelopmentDepartment of Trade & IndustryHamilton House,DouglasISLE OF MAN IM1 5EP(Tel 01624-682-396 Fax 01624-687-171)

Working for Myself BuryEuropa House,Barcroft Street, BURY BL9 5BT(Tel 01204-391-400)

A4E New Deal (Manchester & Trafford)Devonshire House, George Street,MANCHESTER M1 4HA(Tel 0161-234-9797)To be referred through Job Centre Plus

DHP New Deal (Oldham & Rochdale)Falcon Business CentreVictoria Street, Chadderton, OLDHAM OL9 0HB(Tel 0800-195-1919)To be referred through Job Centre Plus

Salford Hundred Venture 33-35 Winders WayOff Frederick Road, SALFORD M6 6BU(Tel 0161-742-4424 Fax 0161-742-4401)

A4E New Deal (Stockport & Tameside)Beckwith House, Wellington Road North,STOCKPORT SK4 1AF(Tel 0161-476-0010)To be referred through Job Centre Plus

Stuart Ridgway Assoc. Ltd Shirley House,Oldham Street, HYDE SK14 1LJ (Tel 0161-368-3122)

In Biz WiganRoom 5, Coops Business Centre,11, Dorning Street, WIGAN WN1 1HR(Tel 01942-231-155)

[JoyDivision]

Thanks that place on Hilton Street rings the bell. I will give them a call tomorrow.

It is a pitty there wasn't any Inbiz places closer to me, Rochdale and Wigan are miles away I am in south Manchester.

Also I know I need to get on with it :p: The barber ask what job I did today and I said I was a self employed

[fastfences]

The barber ask what job I did today and I said I was a self employed

Huh? Barber?

Why didn't you just say you're a Web-developer?
Cheers, Nigel

[JoyDivision]

The barber ask what job I did today and I said I was a self employed

Huh? Barber?

Why didn't you just say you're a Web-developer?
Cheers, Nigel

I did self employed web developer, he asked if I had the day off and what I did.

[Asteeleleith]

Hi joy

don;t count on much help from the jobcentre. Though they are sensitive to your cause, and will accept efforts towards business as a job lead they still push.

They gave me some useless pamplet about starting a business, telling me to do what i have lready done. No other advise or help than that.
to make matters worse the adviser was nt my regualar one so knew nothing about me.
Luckily i had some examples of my product to show her. Which she photocopied.
I still apply for jobs to keep them happy, and would take a full time job if offered, though i think as i say i do not think i will end up working for anyone again other than myself.

As for the question of what do i do part, i just tell people i am a businessman, that normally gets them off my back.Especially when you bosh them a business card lol

Al

[ChrisOrm]

Hi Joy,

I've been a freelance web developer for quite some time now, if you need any advice then drop me a line.

What sort fo work would you like to do (design, databases, coding)? We might even be able to offer you some work.

Cheers
Chris