Help support others in your community by setting up your own micro-enterprise

Residents can now get free help to set up on a self-employed basis offering care and support to older and disabled people.

Are you passionate about making a difference to people’s lives locally? Are you already caring for someone in your community? Do you want to set your own hours and rate of pay?

The new community micro-enterprise development programme is designed to support people passionate about helping others in west Cheshire. It is funded by Cheshire West and Chester Council and run by social enterprise Community Catalysts.

Micro-enterprises are small businesses, sometimes just one person, but up to eight, that offer help with care or health and wellbeing to local people. Residents might offer things like help with personal care such as washing and dressing, cleaning, shopping, sitting and having a chat, DIY, gardening and more.

Cabinet member for adult social care and health, Councillor Val Armstrong, said: “We are committed to doing everything we can in our borough to support our health and social care sector and ensure all of our residents who need support can make their own choices about what they need and when.

“We want to put residents in control of their care by expanding the local care market and creating opportunities for budding entrepreneurs at the same time. If you think you could offer care and support, please find out more about how our programme can help.”

Community Catalysts’ programme offers help to set up and follow the right rules and regulations, marketing support, learning around funding opportunities and help to access training.

Community Catalyst for west Cheshire, Sonia Holdsworth, said: “We are looking for people who want to offer high quality care and support to west Cheshire residents.

“You don’t need to have a professional background in care, or know how to run a business, we can help you with access to practical support, information and training if you are a caring and compassionate person.

“So please get in contact to find out more about how we can help you work locally, choose your own hours and make a difference to people in your community.”

If you have an idea for setting up your own enterprise that helps others in your community and would like free support to turn your dream in to a reality, contact Community Connector Sonia Holdsworth by emailing: 

Sonia.holdworth@communitycatalysts.co.uk 

...or calling:

07880388478

Alternatively visit: 

Love your work and help your community | Community Catalysts 

...and register your details and Sonia will be in contact.

Community Catalysts is a social enterprise working across the UK to try to make sure that people who need care and support to live their lives can get that help in ways, times and places that suit them.