Sunday August 1st, 2010 9:25
alt : Swans North East Banner Animation
Egg: Inspiring pre-start opportunities

Whether you are thinking about returning to work, want to progress or change your career, or are thinking about self-employment, the same questions and concerns arise.

"Can I do this?", "Where do I start?", "Am I crazy for even thinking about it?"

The first of our levels of support concentrates specifically on helping you get onto your chosen path. We all have different levels of knowledge, skills and abilities and we aim to help you assess where you currently are, and to determine what you need to do, to meet your goals in a timeframe appropriate to your needs.

For those thinking about self-employment:

What is in it for me?
  • Help with writing your business plan
  • Mentoring and coaching to get your business started
  • Network for advice, guidance and support
  • Access to sample polices and guidelines
  • Access to a wide range of reference and resource material
  • Member -2- Member offers
  • Potential client introductions
  • Help to access funding and support
What contribution can I make?
  • Fresh ideas and inspiration
  • Input to network meetings, training and master classes
  • Challenge to existing practise
  • Positive examples of enterprise
  • Case studies to support the network
I had met with a business advisor and was given a template to write a business plan but I wasn't sure where to start. Working with Swans meant that I examined exactly what I wanted to do, how I was going to do it and convinced me that my idea was viable and I could do it! My business plan was completed and I was able to access funding I needed to get my business up and running.
- Jean Scott, J's Fish Bar