Work for Yourself Programme

Work for Yourself

Summary of three years activity.

1.This summarises activities and achievements of the Work for Yourself projects delivered for Chesterfield Borough Council (CBC) and Bolsover District Council (BDC)2009-12under the Working Neighbourhoods Fund.

2.What was achieved.

2.1The programme assisted local unemployed residents with limiting long-term health conditions/disabilities to start their own businesses or become better prepared to move towards other forms of work. The programme has achieved:

522 Contacts (288 CBC; 234BDC).
409 eligible initial contacts (232 CBC; 177 BDC).
333 initial one-to-one meetings with Business Advisers (190CBC; 143 BDC).
76Trading businesses (40CBC; 36BDC). Targets plus client activity levels exceeded within time and under budget; 4/5 more businesses still to be declared.
77 Former clients reported that they had found jobs(54 CBC;23 BDC).
27 Clients reported that they were undertaking training (14 CBC;3 BDC).

2.2Conclusions. A large number of initial contacts were needed to meet the business launch targets. Overall, the project produced 185 positive results for clients (46% of eligible clients). It was easier to attract recruits from the Chesterfield Borough and fewer were ineligible. Once engaged, clients from both areas had comparablebusiness outcomes although those from the BDC area tended to take longer.

3.What businesses were started.

3.1Clients build on their previous work experience or life interests when they create their business ideas. Although many may remain as sole traders, some established registered companies – and many have the potential to grow.

3.2Sustainability. Support continued for clients who had started their new businesses in earlier years to help them maintain trading.

3.3Conclusion. The range of businesses created was very wide and the majority were sole traders. 76% of clients who launched their businesses were trading 12 months later and, of those who did not achieve the 12 month threshold, 25% achieved other positive outcomes (employment – usually with a previous customer - or training).

4.How the programmedelivers.

4.1Client focus has been keyso we took a holistic approach to each individual: recognising that personal, financial and other circumstances all played their part in individual achievement. Hence, our support was equally comprehensive ranging from providing short, straightforward and accessible business information packs to expert and empathetic Business Advisers.

4.2Conclusions. This client group tends to encounter multiple disadvantages hence sustainable outcomes require more than business support.

5.Who are the clients?

5.1Monitoring data given by clients for the full programme is summarised as:

Age. The highest proportion of clients (26%) were aged 51 and over.
Gender. The proportion was some 2:1 men:women.
Ethnic background. The substantial majorityof clients were White British.

Skills. The most marked difference between the two areas was the higher proportion of BDC clients (30%) with no formal qualifications compared with CBC clients (15%).
Time since last employment. Some 32% of clients had not worked for 2 years.
Deprived LSOAs. About 58% of clients were from deprived LSOAs .

5.2Conclusions. Overall, clients from the two areas show similar trends - the main differences are that BDC clients tend to have lower qualifications and slightly more have not worked for two years and over.

6.What clients say about the opportunities created by self-employment.

6.1The following comments were made during the final year:

“I had treatment but was told that my working life had finished because I was too young to have replacement knees. So it was awful being out of work for nearly two years. But then I realised that my health condition need not stop me starting a new business based on my 20 years of hobby micro-light flying. I managed to get some grants for more training so that now I’m a fully-qualified flight instructor. I’ve moved from being down in the dumps with my disability to sitting in my new smart office – it’s really uplifting.”
“I was warned that, if I carried on, I would need a spinal operation. I had applied for lots of jobs but got nowhere – there were too many others looking for work,”
“Setting up my dog walking business fulfils my ambition to work with animals – and it’s good for me as the exercise helps my back. Now I just love it and not a day goes by when I don’t look forward to work.”
“Having my own business gives me freedom and flexibility for my family life - I may not have the big salary and company car but I also don't have the stresses and strains of corporate life. Instead, I get to see more of my youngson and now have an excellent work/life balance. It's also exciting to make all the decisions and it's up to me as to how successful the business will become.”
“I have had depression for nearly half my life which meant that I couldn’t work for years. Although I’m managing the condition, the medication has difficult side-effects. But this new business means that I get lots of exercise and fresh air, I meet lots of people and get out – just what the doctor ordered and I can make an income too. I feel much better now that I know that I am capable of working.”
“Running my own business is really rewarding and not as hard as I thought it would be. Now that I’m off benefits, it’s really nice to know that all the money I have is what I’ve earned myself.”

6.2Conclusions. Self-employment was a very satisfying form of work for people who had become depressed and frustrated being inactive and reliant on benefits. They valued the life change and increased financial independence.

7.What clients said about the programme.

7.1Throughout, we monitored client satisfaction through sample surveys and reaction was positive. Many respondents also praised the programme during the last year saying:

“The fact that the programme has been so open with me, so easy to talk to”.
“My Business Adviser is very personable and very forthcoming with ideas. She gives a fresh outlook on what to do.”
“It has been of great help because I needed a bit more support with the officialstuff/paperwork. I don’t do that sort of thing”.
“My Business Adviser has kept in touch and has been very helpful with his feedback”.
“I know that it’s nice to get the support that I need which is just at the other end of a phone”.
“The programme does such a good job, offers great support and advice”.
“The programme has helped me get my taxi badge and started me off on the right path”.

7.2Conclusions. As reflected in the satisfaction surveys, clients highly valued the support they received.