EnterprisingYou offers bespoke support to self-employed and entrepreneurs working with a disability

Greater Manchester’s self-employed and entrepreneurs living and working with a disability were invited to attend a bespoke networking event, hosted by EnterprisingYou.

On Wednesday 7 December, EnterprisingYou’s team of expert business coaches and advisors were on hand at University Academy 92 (UA92) to talk to guests about the support, workshops and other opportunities that are available on the programme and how the programme can be tailored to fit the individual’s needs.

The event featured an ensemble of inspirational guest speakers who shared their experiences and how they overcame the challenges they faced. Scott Whitney, founder of All4Inclusion shared his experiences as a wheelchair user, Dr Shirley Woods-Gallagher, Executive Director of the New Bridge Group talked about the difference in employment levels between disabled people and non-disabled people and Kelly Gray, GC Business Growth Hub Account Manager, talked about how becoming self-employed aided her recovery from a serious head injury and led her back into a full-time job that she loves. Finally, Tammy Bashir from DWP shared how the Access to Work programme makes work possible for the disabled.

Dr Shirley Woods-Gallagher

Scott Whitney

Kelly Gray

Tammy Bashir

Guests then had the opportunity to take part in a selection of free workshops in SEO, Self-Awareness, Sales, Marketing and Financial Planning, giving them a taster of some of the training opportunities available on the EnterprisingYou programme.

Isobel Greenhalgh, who's branding and commercial photography business Isobel Greenhalgh Creative focuses on accessibility and inclusivity in the creative industry, joined the EnterprisingYou programme around a year ago.

Isobel said: “I saw this event and thought it was an absolutely perfect opportunity as a disabled, self-employed person. My energy levels are quite often up and down but I’m so glad I came to the event. I’ve met some really cool people, the workshops were really useful and the talks have all been super inspirational as well.”

I absolutely loved my experience on the EnterprisingYou programme. The programme was so different to others I’ve done, it’s much more personal and there is a focus on mindset and wellbeing which is something you don’t get in a lot of programmes. It was great to have the personal and emotional support as well as the business support because the two often go hand in hand.

Isobel Greenhalgh, Isobel Greenhalgh Creative

The employment rate for disabled people is around 30% lower than the employment rate for non-disabled people. EnterprisingYou’s team of business experts is committed to providing support for self-employed and entrepreneurs who are working with a disability and those who are considering starting their own business.

Andy Mather, Interim Programme Manager for EnterprisingYou, said: “Our programme is different to comprehensive business support because we focus on the individual and not only the business, so when a client comes on to the programme, they can get one-to-one support from a business coach who will plan their journey of support, with finance specialist support, health and wellbeing support and dedicated training and personal development. All of our business coaches have attended disability awareness training to allow them to tailor their support to different needs.”

Janine Smith, Director at GC Business Growth Hub, said: “EnterprisingYou is an inclusive programme. We are passionate and want everyone to have access to opportunities, and this event is all about making sure that people working and living with a disability can access as much support as they need.”

EnterprisingYou provides fully funded support to the self-employed and gig economy workers across Greater Manchester. To be eligible for the programme, you must be over 18, live in Greater Manchester, be self-employed and trading for at least four months and earn less that £27,000 per annum.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, Portfolio Lead for Education, Skills, Work, Apprenticeships and Digital, said:

“Greater Manchester is home to over 149,000 self-employed people; they are essential to the economy and a key part of what makes the region special. 

In the current climate, with the cost of living continuing to rise, the EnterprisingYou programme is needed more than ever to offer self-employed people the help that they need and ensure that they are maximising their chances of success.

Eamonn O’Brien, Portfolio Lead for Education, Skills, Work, Apprenticeships and Digital

If you would like to find out more about EnterprisingYou, register online or email info@enterprising-you.co.uk.

More information about the EnterprisingYou programme can be found here.