A major new project has been launched in Dorset to help create employment.
WSX Enterprise will assist those wanting to start businesses and support those who have already begun.
Financed by the European Regional Development Fund, the project will run a series of events, workshops and meetings designed to give practical help and advice.
WSX Enterprise is Dorset’s leading provider of business support services and will be rolling out the project specifically in the Bournemouth-Poole and Weymouth-Portland conurbations.
Named ‘Driving Urban Enterprise’, the scheme will target those areas of higher unemployment.
WSX Enterprise is Dorset’s leading provider of business support services.
The organisation, which previously delivered the Business Link service, can also help access finance via the Government’s Start Up Loan scheme.
While eligibility criteria apply, people from Weymouth, Portland, Bournemouth and Poole are encouraged to get in touch.
Chris Darlow, Programme Manager, said: “Having been awarded the funding to launch this exciting project we’re determined to assist as many people as possible to create both businesses and jobs.
“We want to help people who have both the aspiration and the potential to start a sustainable business.
“Our project team have extensive experience of starting and growing their own businesses and understand the challenges that new entrepreneurs face.
“Our focus will be on providing ‘real world’ practical support with a flexible approach.
“There are three main elements to this project: to support the creation of new enterprises, to help recently started businesses and to assist those more established businesses to grow.
“Activities range from two hour ‘is it for me?’ workshops through to two day training workshops.
“We will also be running networking sessions and one-to-one meetings with experienced advisers.
“There are ‘meet the boss’ and ‘meet the buyer’ sessions, plus advice on growing a business and even export and finance.
“We are also able to provide support for people with ideas for social enterprises
“For established businesses we are able to offer a high quality mentoring service through our partners at Dormen, the Dorset Mentoring Service.
“Our emphasis is on creating employment by supporting those in the early stages of their business careers.
“So if you are an individual with an idea for a business, or are a business looking to grow, get in touch to see if we can help.”
The project is supported by numerous private and public sector organisations; Bournemouth Borough Council, Borough of Poole, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, Bournemouth CVS, Poole CVS, Dorset Community Action, Ward Goodman, Mark Liddle LLP.
