Small Business Support Agencies

Small Business Support

Whether you’re working from home, a small business just starting out or a well established business, we could all do with some help and advise at sometime or other. Listed below a are few of the agencies waiting for your call, ready and willing to help.

Association of Disabled Professionals

Telephone: 01204 431638 (answerphone)
Website: www.adp.org.uk

ADP is a membership organisation that provides advice, information and peer support to disabled people interested in working in professional fields.  ADP also provides a quarterly newsletter and a series of employment guides for disabled people.

Business Gateway

Telephone: 0845 609 6611
Website: http://www.bgateway.com/

Business Gateway is the Scottish small business community’s primary source of publicly-funded small business support. They offer a range of professional resources, support and tools to help businesses learn new skills, create new opportunities and develop strategies to take businesses forward.

Whatever stage your business is at, Business Gateway offer a wide range of professional resources and support. All are designed to help you learn new skills, create opportunities and develop strategies for a sustainable business.

Blind in Business

Telephone: 020 7588 1885
Website: www.blindinbusiness.co.uk

Blind in Business offer support to people who are currently at university or have recently graduated. They offer assistance with the practical aspects of completing application forms and interview practice workshops. In addition, they offer information on current recruitment programmes and networking opportunities with other blind and partially sighted professionals.

Business Link

Telephone: 0845 600 9006
Website: www.businesslink.gov.uk

Business Link is the government agency that runs the Small Business Service that provides general information on starting up a small business. It operates the Business Link National Contact Centre, which is a helpline and website designed to deliver information and advice for small businesses.

The Small Business Service also operates a network of local providers throughout the UK, which can provide independent and impartial advice. These are provided through Business Link in England, Business Connect in Wales, Small Business Gateways in Lowland Scotland, Business Information Sources in Highland Scotland and Invest NI for Northern Ireland.

LearnDirect

Telephone: 0800 101 901
Website: www.leardirect.co.uk

LearnDirect is a network of online learning and information services. It offers a wide range of training courses that may help you if you are thinking of setting up your own business. Topics covered include key management skills, marketing, finance planning and so on. Courses are either offered your local Learndirect centre or online via their website.

LiveWire

Telephone: 0845 757 3252
Website: www.shell-livewire.org

Livewire is a national scheme sponsored by Shell, to help young people aged 16-30 to set up in business. Young people with projects can discuss their ideas with local advisers and financial awards may be given. Entrants to the scheme will be paired to an adviser who will help them on an individual basis to plan and develop their business idea.

Local Enterprise Agencies

Telephone: 01234 831 623
Website: www.nfea.com

Local enterprise agencies give free general advice and support to small businesses. Training courses are also available, which are often free.

The Prince’s Trust

Telephone: 0800 842 842
Website: www.princes-trust.org.uk

The Prince’s Trust can help young unemployed people aged 18-30 to set up their own businesses. The Trust can give loans, on-going business advice and help with marketing.

PRIME

Telephone: 0800 783 1904
Website: www.primebusinessclub.co.uk
Email: prime@ageuk.org.uk

PRIME is the only national organisation dedicated to helping people aged over 50 to set up in business. They promote the possibility of starting a business to the over 50s. They will also provide contact details of local organisations that can give initial business help and free advice. PRIME also give out loans to people looking to set up their own business.

UKVISE

Telephone: 01905 28286 or 07778 611604
Website: www.magill.co.uk/ukvijobs/

UKVISE is an internet discussion group for blind and partially sighted people involved with setting-up or running a small business. It is a free service and open to anyone interested in matters relating to small enterprise or self-employment.

UnLtd

Telephone: 0207 566 1100
Website: www.unltd.org.uk

UnLtd is a charitable organisation set up by seven leading organisations that promote social entrepreneurship. UnLtd’s Millennium Awards provide practical and financial support to social entrepreneurs in the UK; people with vision, passion, drive and commitment, who want to change the world for the better.