We Mean Business

AFK's Self-Employment Support Programme

A young person shares her handmade candle business website during an AFK We Mean Business self-employment session.

Self-employment support for disabled young people

Have you got a business idea? Are you interested in working for yourself, but not sure where to start?

 

We Mean Business supports disabled young people aged 18 to 25 to explore self-employment, freelancing, and starting a small business.

 

We help young people build confidence, develop their ideas and understand the practical steps involved in working for themselves.

What is We Mean Business?

 

We Mean Business supports young people who want to explore self-employment, freelancing or starting their own small business.

 

You might already have an idea, or you might simply want to find out whether self-employment could be right for you. Either way, we can help you think it through and take things at your own pace.

 

Through one-to-one support, practical guidance and mentoring, we help young people develop their ideas and understand what is involved in working for themselves.

Who is it for?

We Mean Business is for disabled young people aged 18 to 25 who are interested in self-employment.

 

This could include young people who:

 

  • have a business idea they want to develop
  • are creative, practical or entrepreneurial
  • want to explore a different route into work
  • would benefit from flexible employment options
  • need support to understand the practical steps involved
  • want to grow their confidence before taking the next step

How we can support you

Our support is tailored to each young person. Depending on your goals, we can help with:

 

  • Developing your business idea
  • Creating a simple business plan
  • Understanding your customers
  • Marketing your products or services
  • Looking at your strengths, gaps and next steps
  • Using tools like SWOT analysis
  • Registering as self-employed
  • Understanding invoices, tax and basic admin
  • Building confidence
  • Connecting with mentors and peer support

Case Study: Kiera's Candles

For as long as she can remember, Keira’s parents bought her a Yankee Candle for every birthday and Christmas. Then, for her 18th birthday, her dad gave her a candle-making kit.

 

That gift sparked an idea.

 

Keira began making candles and giving out free samples at school. She later joined AFK’s We Mean Business programme to explore how she could turn her passion into a real business.

 

With tailored support, Keira gained the confidence to sell her handmade candles at markets, build her own Instagram profile and website, and take practical steps towards becoming a young entrepreneur.

Contact Us

Ready to explore self-employment with AFK?

 

If you have a business idea, or you want to find out whether working for yourself could be right for you, we’d love to hear from you.

 

Get in touch with the AFK team and we’ll talk you through the support available through We Mean Business.

A young person photographs a handmade cream bubble candle outdoors for their small business.
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