Spaces available – StartUp club launches initiative for north Shropshire young people

Young people across Oswestry and north Shropshire are being urged to ‘make a job’, as part of a new campaign aimed at tackling the rising levels of unemployment amongst 18- to 24-year-olds.

As part of the Young Britain initiative, the next free monthly StartUp Club is being held on Monday 12 November 2012 from 5.30pm until 7pm at the Attfield Theatre, Guildhall in Oswestry.  And spaces are still available.  To reserve a ticket spot please visit www.startupcluboswestry.eventbrite.co.uk.

Funded by Shropshire Council and Oswestry Town Council, the StartUp Club aims to encourage local young people to create their own business.  The scheme builds on the success of similar clubs in Shrewsbury, Telford and Ironbridge, and will offer young people the chance to access finance, mentoring, and training to help them gain the knowledge and funding needed to run a successful business of their own.

Fay Easton, Shropshire’s StartUp Britain Local Champion and co-founder of Young Britain, explained:

“I truly believe that the age of entrepreneurship is upon us, and there has never been a better time to launch a business.  The UK is the best country in the world to become an entrepreneur.  Self-employment really is a viable alternative to the traditional jobs market, and provides young people with a profitable and productive alternative to catastrophic unemployment.

“The StartUp Club is a great opportunity for young people to discover how they could set up their own business.  We will help people find the motivation and confidence they need to be able to focus on a business plan; we can help with StartUp Loans and also provide mentoring support.  Places at the free event are limited, and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.”

Mike Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for business support, said:

“I’d like to encourage businesses to come along and meet other people planning the same self-employed future.  There has recently been an increase in young people starting up their own businesses, and these clubs will hopefully support these as well as encourage others to follow in their footsteps.”

Vince Hunt, Shropshire Councillor for Oswestry West, said:

“I am very pleased that the first event was so successful.  I would encourage youngsters to have a go; don’t wait a job to come along, create your own, and use this opportunity to be supported to help make it work – you can do it.”

Martin Bennett, Mayor of Oswestry and a Shropshire Councillor for Oswestry East, said:

“The prospect of starting your own business can be daunting – a real voyage into the unknown – but this initiative can help to provide a map and compass.  If you have the seed of an idea then come along and find out more.  Some of the nation’s biggest and most successful businesses started small; Iceland, for example, with a thought about freezing pick-your-own strawberries.  So if they can do it – you can do it.”

Keith Barrow, Shropshire Council’s leader and councillor for Oswestry South, said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to find out everything they need to know about setting up their own business.  The clubs also offer a great support network of similar-minded people, which can only be an advantage.” 

For further information on the StartUp Shropshire and Young Britain campaigns, people can contact Fay Easton on 07944 189436, email fay@shropshireenterprise.co.uk, or visit the websites www.startupshropshire.org and www.youngbritain.com.

Further information

Young Britain is a non-profit organisation that was launched in Telford by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs and will help the under 24s get into work through self-employment and entrepreneurship.  Young Britain is a delivery partner for the StartUp Loans Company, and is providing loans of an average value of £2,500 alongside a range of business services that support young people to create future earning potential.  The scheme can support young people across Shropshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Black Country and Birmingham.