Hi All!

Hope everyone is well. I had the idea to spread a bit of the research and knowledge I have been collecting recently. In the current climate, we hear more and more everyday about the level of unemployment, people becoming redundant and loosing their jobs, and about the state of the economy at the moment.

This is of course, effecting people all over the UK, Europe, and the entire world!! However.. there is a little glimmer of hope, and people trying to counteract this and do something good from it!

There are schemes, grants, and advice popping up all over the place, trying to help people out with starting their own businesses, and much of it is for free! One in particular I have come across is: www.theblueorchid.co.uk  Who have a course you can attend for starting up businesses, allocate you a business adviser and then can put you on more courses to help further! And best of all... its free!

Another one is my old university: www.staffs.ac.uk/business who offer mentoring, business training, business clubs, networking opportunities and a business grant to graduates... no matter how long ago you left! Which I think is amazing!

There are plenty more out there, many grants and schemes for people. Its doing the research and looking things up. Even natwest are doing a business account that offers lots of help for new companies.

So if the worst has happened, if you've lost your job, or had to give up on something, see it as a new chance, a new beginning and a new chance! Grasp hold of the opportunity and try to do something you've always wanted to do.

If starting a business is that thing, the support and help is out there and its all around! If you hear of any good opportunites, please post them in the comments box to let other people know too. Follow your dreams!! :) xx