"The session focused on helping participants see self-employment as a realistic and positive route back into society, equipping them with the confidence, knowledge and practical skills needed to start and run a small business after release. Designed to be accessible and hands-on, the workshop covered the core building blocks of entrepreneurship, including developing a business idea, choosing the right business structure, understanding customers and pricing, basic marketing principles, and where to access free support, mentoring and funding."
"Delivered by Sarah Brockwell as part of the NEEB Link programme, the session also highlighted the extensive range of fully funded support available to aspiring entrepreneurs across North Essex. This includes access to mentors, co-working spaces, networking opportunities, digital tools and grant funding. Participants were introduced to practical, modern business resources such as the NEEB App, free business planning tools, marketing platforms like Canva, and AI tools including ChatGPT, helping to demystify technology and show how digital tools can support small businesses from day one."
"Feedback from inmates was overwhelmingly positive, with every participant saying they would recommend the workshop to others. One attendee described it as "very insightful and informative", particularly praising the guidance around charities and CICs, funding options, mentoring and the range of tools available to support new ventures. Staff at HMP Chelmsford also welcomed the initiative, praising its relevance and accessibility, and have invited the NEEB Link team to return in February to deliver a follow-up workshop focused specifically on self-employment."
A practical business start-up workshop at HMP Chelmsford introduced inmates nearing release to self-employment as a route back into society. The session taught core entrepreneurship topics: idea development, business structures, customer understanding, pricing, basic marketing, and where to find free support, mentoring and funding. The NEEB Link programme highlighted fully funded local resources, mentors, co-working spaces, networking and grant opportunities. Participants learned to use modern tools such as the NEEB App, business planning resources, Canva and AI tools like ChatGPT. Feedback was uniformly positive and staff invited a follow-up workshop on self-employment.
Read at Business Matters
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