Activate Enterprise Stakeholder Information
Helping Your Community Explore Self Employment
Go Succeed: Get Started In Business is a gentle and supportive pathway designed specifically for people who are economically inactive.
Many of the individuals you work with may not feel ready for traditional employment, may be managing health conditions or caring responsibilities, or may simply need a different route forward.
This programme gives them a safe place to explore self employment, understand what they could offer and learn the practical steps involved in getting started.
Participants can join informal drop in sessions, beginner friendly workshops and, if they progress, receive tailored mentoring and financial assistance to help them take their first steps.
They do not need a business idea and they do not need to feel ready for work. The programme meets people where they are.
As part of the wider Go Succeed ecosystem, this pathway helps people build confidence and skills, discover new possibilities and move towards trading at their own pace.
By sharing this opportunity with your service users or community groups you can help them open the door to a future that feels achievable and supported.
Who Is Eligible
The Go Succeed: Get Started In Business programme is for people who are economically inactive. This means they are not in work and not currently looking for work. There is no minimum time requirement and they may or may not be receiving benefits.
People may be eligible if they are:
- Students who are not job seeking
- Parents or unpaid carers
- Living with health conditions, disability, chronic pain or mental health challenges
- Older adults who have stepped back from employment
- People facing barriers such as low confidence, transport issues or digital exclusion
- Migrants or resettled individuals focusing on stability and integration
- People in crisis or transition
- Individuals in faith communities, full time volunteers or those supported by family income
People who are actively job seeking or available to start work within two weeks are not eligible for this programme.
For more in-depth information about who is considered Economically Inactive please download our resource here >>
Where the Programme Is Delivered
Go Succeed: Get Started In Business is delivered across six council areas through two delivery groups.
Each area offers its own mix of workshops, drop in clinics, mentoring opportunities and financial assistance, all designed to support people who are economically inactive.
Mid South West Delivery Area
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
Mid Ulster District Council
Lisburn-Ards-Newry Delivery Area
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council
These locations allow the programme to reach a wide range of communities, including rural areas, urban centres and areas with higher levels of economic inactivity.
Each council area provides access to information sessions, drop ins, in person and online workshops and the opportunity for selected participants to receive mentoring and financial assistance.
Stakeholder Information
To help you share the programme with your service users, volunteers or community groups, we have created a simple slide deck that explains everything you need to know about Go Succeed: Get Started In Business. You can download it and use it in your own presentations, team meetings or training sessions.
This pack includes:
- An overview of who the programme is for
- A clear explanation of what support is available
- Details of how participants can access workshops, drop-ins, mentoring and financial assistance
- Information on the Go Succeed pathway and how this programme fits within the wider ecosystem
- Key messages you can share with people who may benefit
Talk to Us About Getting the Message Out
If you would like help sharing this programme with your community or if you want to explore opportunities to collaborate, run information sessions or support referrals, please contact our Stakeholder Liaison Officer:
Carole King
Phone: 07841714056
Email: [email protected]
Carole can support you with:
- Guidance on how to introduce the programme to the people you work with
- Materials and messaging for your organisation
- Information on upcoming events and opportunities
- Support with outreach and signposting
We’re here to help you spread the word and make sure the people who need this support know it is available. Let us know how we can assist you.
Promo Assets
Below you will find all our general promo assets for the programme – if you would like council specific or event specific ones please email [email protected] and cc in [email protected] with GET STARTED IN BUSINESS ASSET REQUEST in the subject line.
Expression of Interest form
If you work with someone who may benefit from the programme, you can use the link below to refer them quickly and easily. This helps us register them for suitable workshops and provide follow-up support.
Upcoming Workshops
Participants must attend at least one workshop to be eligible for the mentoring element of the programme. They are welcome to attend as many as they wish to get the full benefit of the support on offer.
*Additional dates may be added for January.
| Date | Council | Type | Format | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, 9 December 25 | ANDBC | Workshop | ONLINE | Zoom | 3pm–4pm |
| Tuesday, 9 December 25 | MUDC | Workshop | F2F | Magherafelt Volunteer Centre | 10am–12pm |
| Wednesday, 10 December 25 | ANDBC | Workshop | F2F | Ards Arts Centre | 10am–12pm |
| Wednesday, 10 December 25 | NMDDC | Workshop | F2F | Down Business Centre | 2.30pm–4.30pm |
| Monday, 15 December 25 | LCCC | Workshop | F2F | Lisburn Library (small room ×15) | 10.30am–12.30pm |
| Monday, 15 December 25 | NMDDC | Workshop | ONLINE | Zoom | 2.30pm–4.30pm |
| Thursday, 8 January 26 | FODC | Workshop | F2F | Workhouse Enniskillen | 10.30am–12.30pm |
Refer Participants Into the Programme
We want to make the referral process as simple as possible for you and the people you support. Councils, community groups and partner organisations can refer individuals into Go Succeed: Get Started In Business using the options below.
Share the Expression of Interest Form with Participants
You can send the link below directly to anyone you believe may benefit from the programme.
They can complete the form themselves and a member of our team will follow up to register them for the most suitable workshop.
Submit Information on Behalf of a Participant
If it is easier, you can complete the form with the participant’s information.
Once submitted, our team will register them for the appropriate events and follow up with any required details.
This flexible approach allows you to support people in the way that best suits their needs, whether they prefer to complete forms themselves or require help with the process.
If you have questions about referrals or want to discuss how we can support your organisation, please contact Carole King on 07841714056 or [email protected]