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SOURCES
OF SUPPORT
Invest Northern Ireland aims to encourage small businesses, to start-up, grow and become more competitive and hence improve long-term job opportunities. It generally assists businesses who normally employ fewer than 50 people. These businesses are usually involved in manufacturing and some service activities. Invest Northern Ireland provides information and financial support to help small businesses become more competitive and it also encourages businesses to export as this is the key to the growth of the small business sector. Support is provided to encourage people to consider becoming self employed.
The Prince's Trust helps young people gain confidence, develop new skills and get into work. Our core activities include supporting new businesses and providing personal development opportunities. Through the Business Programme the Prince's Trust helps young people aged 18-30 who are unemployed or under-employed and of limited means. To get the business started the Prince's Trust provides financial support which includes a Test Marketing grant of up to £250 (to research the market for the proposed venture), a Grant of up to £1500 in special circumstances (or £3,000 where there are 2 or more partners) and a low interest Loan of up to £5,000. A comprehensive 'aftercare' programme is offered to each new business, to help them survive the first 3 years of trading. This includes IT training, corporate identity design, web-site design, help with a marketing strategy, discounted exhibition space and specialist advice. One of the key elements of the Trust's support is the allocation of a voluntary business mentor to each assisted business for up to 3 years
Enterprising
West is a consortium of Cookstown Enterprise Centre Ltd, Dungannon
Enterprise Centre, Fermanagh Enterprise Limited, Omagh Enterprise
Company Ltd and Strabane Enterprise Agency. It has considerable
experience in delivering; enterprise creation, small business development
and community economic development initiatives on a region wide
basis with key projects including.
Livewire provides advice and support to young people aged between 16 - 25 who wish to establish their own business. Each applicant to Livewire is linked with an advisor who assists in drawing up a professional business plan which can be used to attract financial assistance. Other resources provided by Livewire and available from their site include ; a free personal enterprise CR-Rom, the essential business planner, Livewire direct - a free business information and guidance service and ' Education for Self-Employment' - a GCSE Module accredited by the CCEA.
Young Enterprise is an education charity whose mission is to inspire and equip young people to learn and succeed through enterprise. Young Enterprise offers a number of programmes for young people on a learning-by-doing principle. These include: Company Programme, Team Enterprise, Graduate Enterprise, Project Business and Entrepreneurship Masterclass.
Regular information seminars are held to educate newly registered traders about the main principles of VAT. A confidential service is also available to any business that needs advice or information relating to any of the key functions performed by HM Customs & Excise.
Federation of Small Businesses Specialist advice is available to members of the federation. The topics covered by this advisory service include tax matters, DSS, VAT, Health & Safety. Also have a 24 hour telephone service dealing with all legal matters.
Health & Safety Agency Northern Ireland The Health & Safety Agency is a public body which provides advice and assistance to employers, employees and the general public on matters associated with health, safety and welfare at work. The Agency has a wide range of free leaflets and a free video lending service available to anyone needing information on health and safety practices.
Through its network of tax enquiry centres across the Province, the Inland Revenue has advisors on hand who can provide information and advice on a range of tax matters to small business owners. Additionally, there are videos and leaflets that can be acquired free of charge outlining further the activities of the Inland Revenue.
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