Start-Up Hubs available now in Staffordshire Libraries
Are you ready for an exciting opportunity to start working for yourself?
Being self-employed is one of the most exciting, liberating, challenging and rewarding things you can do. Exciting as it may be to start your own business, it can also feel overwhelming and confusing when it comes to actually getting started. Preparation is key to success.
Staffordshire Libraries and Arts Service have been working in partnership with Business Enterprise Support (BES), utilising Arts Council England funding, to establish Start-up Hubs in libraries across Staffordshire.
Hubs are now available across our network of libraries at more than 15 sites and more will launch in 2023.
This is an information awareness service available to support and inspire anybody who is interested in working for themselves to start their journey. Our libraries offer a dedicated space, allocated for start-up promotional materials, leaflets, business related reading books and information fact sheets.
So, what’s stopping you? Pop into your library, hook up to our free wifi, explore the hub and get started planning your next steps in working for yourself or starting your own business. We can signpost you to relevant information, provide local contacts and help get you online.
Find your nearest library.
You can also enjoy free access to the brilliant website COBRA: Complete Business Reference Advisor in all Staffordshire Libraries.
COBRA contains all the information you need to turn your idea into a business or if you are thinking of working for yourself. Log on and find more than 4,000 factsheets, sector guides, market reports, local area profiles, contacts and sources of funding and support plus hundreds of practical guides to starting up more than 350 types of business. Ideal for anyone looking to start a business, write a business or marketing plan or conduct research into a new market.
If you're using a Library PC you can access COBRA for free. If you wish to access COBRA from home you will need to log in with your Library Card Number at the same link.
Find out more about business in Staffordshire, including support for small businesses, start-up loans, apprenticeships, economic recovery and renewal and much more at the County Council Business webpages.
Do you need some help getting online or updating your IT skills? Why not check out the Staffordshire Community Learning website for a wide range of exciting and stimulating short courses for adults aged 19 and above across Staffordshire.
Interested in becoming a volunteer at one of our hubs?
Are you ready for an exciting opportunity to help direct people, who are interested in working for themselves, guiding them to information, training, resources and to other services that will help them!?
To enquire about this volunteering opportunity please contact your local library or visit our volunteering page and register your interest.
For more information about the role visit Start-Up Hub - volunteer opportunity
Find out more through the enterprise support website.