The new cycle (Level 2) of Firm Futures began on January 2019, and runs until April 2019!

Firm Futures is an initiative that helps people in Islington, who are not in permanent, full time employment, set up their own businesses.

Through a series of monthly workshops, Firm Futures builds the confidence and skills needed to set up a business and provides a free package of support including up to £2,000 to cover start-up costs, mentoring and subsidised workspace in the St Luke’s Employment Hub.

Firm Futures is delivered through a unique partnership between three Islington organisations that are working together to support local people in becoming self-employed: law firm Slaughter and May, St Luke’s Community Centre and enterprise experts B Consultancy.

In the first year, the program was delivered through a series of monthly workshops covering business essentials, commencing in May 2018 and running through to November 2018. There was an opportunity to progress to more targeted support and assistance in level 2 of the initiative that is now running from January 2019 until April 2019.

The program attracted a range of applicants, from people who have yet to decide on the type of business they plan to offer, through to those who have recently started trading.

There is a good diversity of applicants, by age (from 26 to 63), by gender (55% female) and ethnicity.

10 successful businesses had been move into level 2 of the initiative to get access to a mentor, a grant up to £2,000 to cover start-up costs and subsidised workspace at St Luke’s Community Centre. In addition we’re also supporting 9 other business from Leve1 of the initiative with access to our monthly workshops.

We’re very much looking forward to level 2 of the initiative!

A massive thank you from St Luke’s to our corporate partner, law firm Slaughter and May for their continued support and commitment to this initiative. And to B Consultancy for the ongoing support.