Start Your Own Business

Our work within the homeless sector is very close to our hearts, and the successes of the graduates from these programmes are truly remarkable.

Our belief in the skill and talent of those who find themselves homeless dates right from Aspire’s formation in 1998.  However, launching this programme in 2010 we decided to put this belief to its greatest test yet, offering people with a history of homelessness support in starting their own businesses to get themselves out of poverty.

Surpassing all the expectations of the sector, the programme has seen amazing results with numerous graduates going on to start their own businesses in everything from designing electronic payment systems to mobile face painting stalls.  Many others have gone on to further employment and training to further their pursuit of one day running their own business.

The programme provides the essentials of business in straight talking sessions delivered by experienced entrepreneurs who have all started, run and sold their own businesses. Whilst it is available in several different formats, within the homeless sector it is delivered as a twelve week programme of training sessions and one-to-one business advice sessions with the trainers.

Barclays Bank has been a fantastic supporter of this work providing mentoring and business plan clinics for those on the programme over the last two years.

The latest programme, funded by the Evening Standard’s Dispossessed Fund, has recently seen some fantastic graduates and has gained the additional support of the networking organisation, BNI.  The two organisations are now funding the Aspire Foundation – Business Start-Up Awards.

To read about the some of the individuals graduated out of this programme please click here.

To read about the press stories click here.

If you would like to attend the course please email us by clicking here.

And finally, if you are interested in seeing whether Aspire Foundation can run similar programmes with your organisation please click here.