Grow Your Business Help into Mentoring Programme

Programme

Help into Mentoring Programme

The Help into Mentoring programme has been designed to support 50 individuals in the old Copeland District Council area thinking about or looking to start their own business or young businesses in the early stages of trading.

Support on offer includes:

  • 20 hrs of one to one mentoring support provided by one of our mentors
  • Personalised client journey
  • Introduction to self-employment workshop covering: Reasons to start a business; anyone can be self-employed and benefits of being your own boss; pitfalls of self-employment; key attributes required for self-employment; why write a business plan? What to include?; market research; legal status; registering with HMRC, VAT, record keeping; home working or business premises?; legislation; start-up costs and financing; forecasting; contingency planning; credit Control
  • Free training on topics such as business planning, personal resilience, branding, marketing, social media channels, sales & pricing…..
  • Access to a four day business start-up course covering topics including business planning, sales & pricing, marketing & social media, record-keeping, cashflow forecasting, profit & loss, sustainability, business bank accounts
  • Free webinars covering relevant topics
  • A network of peer support from like-minded individuals
  • Free online resources
  • Signposting to other business support programmes and available funding
  • A year’s free membership of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce for those who start trading and provide evidence

Basic information on business idea/activity and what you expect to achieve from working with a mentor will be taken at initial enquiry. Details will then be shared with the mentor team who will decide who they are best placed to support and can offer the most value to.

All support is confidential between the mentor and the mentee – the only required submitted paperwork will be a mentor/mentee agreement, simple registration form and a personalised client journey.

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Meet the Mentors

Collette Butterworth

Managing Director

Collette is an experienced Managing Director and leader with specific skills in operational improvement.

Rachel Gaw

Business Owner

Rachel is an award-winning designer maker who brings a touch of adventure to her bespoke gift and homeware products.

Dave has spent the past 20 years working in various finance and education roles before taking all his experience and using it to help other people.

Justine Douglas

Business Adviser

In her professional life Justine motivates and inspires wherever she goes. A people person with a wealth of knowledge.

Jen Braithwaite

Business, PR & marketing consultant

Jen is an experienced business, PR & marketing consultant with a well-rounded portfolio career spanning over 20 years, supporting organisations to thrive through authenticity, knowledge & passion.

Free Training Courses

Love pen and paper but know there's a digital way to capture your ideas you'd like to explore?

Learn how to identify, track, price and manage your product.

This course is suitable for delegates who are new to Excel or are self-taught and wish to ensure they make the most of the basic functions.

This session will leave you with an increase confidence and understanding of why social media should be a key tool in your marketing and promotions.