Volunteer Business Mentors wanted

Are you an experienced business person? Would you like the opportunity to give something back to your local community and economy?  Then maybe you would consider offering your time as a volunteer business mentor.

The New Enterprise Allowance scheme has been created to help people who have previously been claiming Job Seekers Allowance, to start up in business with the help of business mentoring. Chamber members, The Let's Do Business Group has been awarded  contacts to manage the Mentoring Scheme in Surrey and Sussex, along with the Loan funds in the South.  Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce is helping to recruit a team of experienced business people to act as mentors.

The volunteer mentors will have suitable business experience, and also the usual “soft skills” – the mentoring commitment is likely to be –
•    6 hours for the initial 8 weeks to completion of the business plan
•    1 hour per month for 26 weeks following start-up of the business
•    The mentoring is on a volunteer basis
•    The meetings will take place on the mentor’s premises or other suitable public place

The role of the mentors
•    To provide encouragement and promote confidence and self esteem with the client regarding their own capabilities in relation to business start-up
•    To have an understanding of the barriers clients may face when looking to start a business
•    To work with the customer to produce a business plan which demonstrates viability and sustainability

For more information, please email Eleanor at membership@businessinbrighton.org.uk or call on 01273 719097

The Lets Do Business Group and Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce are working in partnership.