Support programme launched for Greater Manchester’s self-employed and gig economy workers

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has launched a new programme to increase skills and opportunities for the self-employed and gig economy workers across Greater Manchester.

EnterprisingYou aims to enable up to 2500 of Greater Manchester’s self-employed to sustain and grow their businesses and is the first programme of its kind in the UK, offering free tailor-made support.

Greater Manchester has been chosen to launch the Department for Education-backed programme, as the city-region is home to over 180,000 self-employed people across all sectors.  Those eligible for support should have an annual gross income below £27,000 and have been self-employed for a minimum of 6 months.  Priority access will go to those on low incomes, and the scheme also aims to actively engage more disadvantaged groups, including those with long-term health conditions and disabilities.

Support will be provided through one-to-one business coaching, peer mentoring, personal finance management and access to well-networked co-working sites, alongside a range of practical information and advice on business areas such as recruitment of staff, advertising, marketing and insights on business development.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:

Whether you’re working in the gig economy or running your own business, you’re likely to have questions about your business and personal finances, opportunities to help you sustain and grow your business, and what to do when you’re unwell or unable to work.

“If we want Greater Manchester to be the best place to get on in work and employment, we have to make sure that people can access advice and support that adapts to changes in work and employment and that is relevant to their situation.

“EnterprisingYou comes at a crucial time, when gig workers and people who are self-employed understandably want certainty about the support and protections available to them. It’s also in line with our commitment to make sure that everyone has the skills, support, and opportunities to succeed in our city-region.”

One of the first participants in EnterprisingYou is Luke Potts, a self-employed designer. He said:

As a branding professional, my passion is collaborating with businesses to discover, evolve and connect more effectively with their consumers’ needs. In the same way, working in partnership with EnterprisingYou has enabled me to focus on developing the key areas I’ve identified to achieve growth and increase specialism, for the benefit of both Studio Potts and my clients.”

EnterprisingYou will be delivered by GM Growth+, a partnership between the Growth Company and PeoplePlus.

Image: L-R: Cllr Sean Fielding, Leader of Oldham Council; Janine Smith, Head of Specialist Services, GC Business Growth Hub; Hilary Centeleghe, Growth and Startup Lead at GC Business Growth Hub; Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester; and Matthew Dooley. People Plus.