We’ve got a simple mission: to give people the confidence and skills to find a job, start their own business or get the training and support they need to make the next steps to greater financial security and independence.
We believe in creating opportunity and choice for people living in our communities – everyone should have the opportunity to thrive and have the support to succeed.
CREATE self-employment course
Our CREATE course is a self-employment training programme that helps individuals transform an idea into a viable, successful business. The course provides essential information from a team of experts, an online helpdesk to students, two years of post-course support, and opportunities to sell and promote products.
Participants get:
- 10-week training programme
- One-to-one mentoring
- Two years post-course support
- Opportunities to sell and promote your products at market place stalls organised by Abri
- Get expert advice about your ideas
- Take the next steps with your business or self-employment idea
- Online helpdesk
- Access to a team of experts
Topics covered include:
- Financial forecasting
- Taxation
- Insurances
- Legal issues
- Working tax credits/benefits
- Marketing & branding
- Production & supply
- Research
- Management
- Creating an effective business model
- Business presentation
This training is possible thanks to a grant from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which along with significant funding from Abri is financing a project called ‘Increase VS’. The project aims to tackle unemployment by supporting a sustainable pipeline of small businesses in 38 neighbourhoods that will benefit local economies and households.
4,900 unemployed people will pass through the training over a five year period, creating up to 1,200 new businesses and helping a further 2000 into work. The project is co-funded by the Interreg France (Channel) England programme with a European Regional Development Fund contribution of £7.1 million.
For further info please email increasevs@abri.co.uk
Did you know? We've seen over 120 businesses created and run successfully as a result of CREATE.
Inspired to Achieve (i2a)
Inspired to Achieve (i2a) is a social enterprise that offers an impartial information, advice and guidance service to empower people to fulfil their potential.
i2a aims to reduce poverty by supporting clients into sustainable employment paid at the living wage, through their training, education, volunteering and employment services.
In the last financial year 2018/19 we supported 237 people into employment and over 1000 since 2014, 89 people into Training/Education/Work Experience.
Finding and gaining employment
Once registered on to our service, we arrange one to one meetings with individuals so that we can gain an understanding of their situation and how we can implement the appropriate support.
We provide free access to CV writing services and work with individuals to find suitable jobs and guide them through the application and interview process. Once someone has got a job, we provide ongoing support and advice as needed.
We also work with businesses looking to fill temporary or permanent vacancies by introducing individuals who have been prepared and trained for the roles on offer.
Training
We provide training support for residents looking to improve their confidence and wellbeing, and gain skills and qualifications to help them find a job or new career.
We work closely with a variety of training providers including local colleges and businesses across our areas in order to provide a wide range of relevant training.
We want to make people's ambitions a reality.
Apprenticeships
As well as helping people find external apprenticeship opportunities, we provide a range of opportunities across our organisation too.
Apprenticeships are a fantastic option for anyone interested in learning while they work, and are a brilliant way to gain job-specific skills and qualifications with the support of experienced colleagues.
Apprentices are paid the national minimum wage while enjoying the holiday entitlement and other perks of being an Abri colleague. Apprentices are given time to study during their working week.
Our apprenticeships are advertised on our vacancies board.
Voluntary Work
Volunteering is a fantastic opportunity for someone to gain a reference, build out their CV, meet new people and discover more about themselves and what they find enjoyable. It’s also a great way to ease into a new routine.
We work with partners, and other local businesses to provide volunteering opportunities. We also have our community Cafes: Cafe 1759 and The Round About Cafe which help volunteers into the food and catering industry.
