Flexible Families

Want to convert a pastime into pounds, but something’s holding you back?

Are you looking for ways to earn some more money?  Perhaps you have a hobby or skill which you could turn into extra income but you’re not sure how to get started?

Free events in 2010:

- 18th March 2010, St. Chads in Bensham, Gateshead. Next to Bensham Children's Centre.    
   9.30am - 3pm

AND you will receive a free £10 ASDA voucher for attending.
  
This is the LAST workshop so if you are interested in attending, or know anyone who would be, please book to avoid disappointment before Wednesday 17th March 2010 (if you do not require a creche place).

For further information, or advice on both of these programmes please contact Melissa Middleton on T. 0191 230 6409 / M. 07833207395 / E. melissa.middleton@pne.org

Supported by One North East, the region’s Enterprise Agencies bring you ‘Flexible Families’, a new type of support aimed at parents and carers of young children, and parents-to-be.  If you have young children and are interested in the flexibility of working for yourself with hours to suit you, but have never before considered it a viable option, Flexible Families is for you. The support available can help you to identify and overcome the barriers you might face in working for yourself, allowing you to turn some of your free time into extra income.    

Flexible Families can help to build your confidence, learn new skills or develop existing ones, and even enhance key skills such as literacy and numeracy, if necessary.  Flexible Families provides individual, one-to-one support and development, and could be just what you’re looking for to help you explore and rise above the personal, skills or business barriers which are stopping you from getting started.

For more information please contact your local Enterprise Agency!

For Gateshead call Joanne on 0191 423 6200

For North and South Tyneside call Danielle on 0191 428 3319

For Newcastle upon Tyne call Chris on 0191 244 4012

For Sunderland call Kathryn on 0191 516 6149

For Easington call EDBS on 0191 586 3366

For Chester le Street, Durham and Derwentside call Linda on 0191 384 5407

For Sedgefield Borough call Jean on 01325 310730

For Wear Valley and Teesdale call Brenda on 01388 776688

For Tees Valley call Sue on 0800 458 0130

For Northumberland call NBSL on 01670 813322

Or if you’re suffering from a long term illness or disability call Northern Pinetree Trust on 0191 492 8219

Stacey did it and so can you...

Stacey Dixon heard about the Flexible Families programme from a friend, and thought that starting her own business would provide the flexibility to work around her family commitments.

As a single parent with a young child, Stacey previously found it very difficult to find a suitable job that fitted in with school hours and holidays.

Flexible Families has helped Stacey to see that working for herself is not only a desirable career option, but is also a realistic one.  Working closely with her mentor, Judith Nunn from Northern Pinetree Trust, Stacey is planning to start up a sun-bed shop and spray tanning studio in her local village.

Stacey is full of praise for the Flexible Families programme, and the support she’s receiving from her mentor. “Receiving the one-to-one support and having someone to help shape my ideas for a better future has been life-changing.”

Stacey believes that Flexible Families has opened up an exciting new future for her.  “Only a few months ago I would never have thought I’d be starting my own business.  Now I’m on the verge of doing so!  Flexible Families has changed my life.”

“I would encourage people to contact Flexible Families, even if it is just for a chat, because you never know where it could lead!”

Flexible Families is a free programme of support which has been funded through the European Regional Development Fund and is supported by One North East.