Helping more women set up successful businesses and social enterprises is the key to transforming the local economy in Hampshire. But with only 17% of start-ups in the UK being founded by women, something needs to change (source: The Unilever Foundry research).

That’s why we’re offering FREE training and expert mentoring to support women all over Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire to set up enterprises and community projects. The project is called Accelerating Women’s Enterprise (AWE), available via this link.

We’ve teamed up with a consortium of partners in the UK and France to support women to develop innovative, creative solutions that add real value to people’s lives and the economy. The AWE Making a Difference project will be hosting free online and face-to-face social enterprise training workshops, providing a safe space for women to test out entrepreneurial ideas. With the aid of supportive tutors, inspiring experts, experienced mentors and fellow participants, the programme will cover the basics of creating a vision, business planning, managing finances, marketing, generating an income, using social media, getting registered, measuring impact, and more. There will also be financial assistance available to those who need help with childcare or carers costs and travel costs, to reduce financial barriers that may prevent some from participating.

 

Intrigued? 

Between relaxed ‘sofa sessions’ for introducing ways you can start a social enterprise, to weekend residentials and training in practical marketing and funding skills, AWE will support and enhance your business.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss which stage of the programme would be best for you, please email Alison Bridge via this link. SSE Hampshire is also looking for female mentors to support participants throughout the duration of the programme.  

Click this link to see the main AWE page and all upcoming events!

 

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About the Author: Hannah.Henshaw@actionhampshire.org

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