The Prince's Trust

i emailed the Prince's Trust, an organisation that helps young people set up businesses to find out how to get onto their programme. They sent me this email with a list of dates attached to it. Basically, once I've attended one of these meeting s the process can begin, including courses and potentially funding, which would be useful.

"Thank you for enquiring about the Enterprise Programme.

The Enterprise Programme helps young people to explore and test their ideas, write plans and start their own businesses or achieve alternative goals in education, training or work.

The programme delivers support in four stages:

· Information session – an hour long session to find out about the support on offer and the expectations that The Trust has of the people who take part in the programme.

· Explore Enterprise course – four consecutive days to learn about topics relevant to planning and running a business, to ‘feel’ what running a business would be like and to consider whether self-employment is the right option.

· One to one sessions – to help think through, choose and plan your next step. For young people needing financial support to test their ideas, Will it Work grants can sometimes be made available.

· Mentoring and financial support – to help achieve your chosen next step. For young people entering a job, education or training, this might be a mentor to help write a CV or college application. For young people going on to start a business, this is a business mentor for two years, a range of discounted and free support offers and maybe money to help start their business.


An average ‘journey’ through the programme takes three to six months. Please also note that participation in the programme does not guarantee that start-up funding will be awarded. Applications for start-up funding are assessed in relation to a number of factors including perceived risk, business viability and individual need.

Please find enclosed information session dates and venues. If you would like to book a place at one of these sessions, please telephone 0191 4973210 or email gateshead@princes-trust.org.uk.

We look forward to hearing from you soon,"

I emailed back and asked to be booked into a slot on Friday 8th July 2011, hopefully this will bring a step closer to both les morts clothing and setting up as a freelancer.