Supporting the Unsung Hero (SUH)

Hundreds of Armed Forces families are set to benefit from the award-winning Supporting the Unsung Hero business start-up programme as the Black Country Chamber of Commerce announces the extension of its training and mentoring programme until 2023.

Supporting the Unsung Hero (SUH) is so much more than a training course. Its delegate network is unique, comprised completely of entrepreneurs from the Armed Forces community. Now in its ninth year, this FREE business training programme delivered in person, at MOD bases throughout the UK, overseas, and online has been in high demand from Armed Forces families, veterans, and reservists to help them realise their ambitions to start up and develop their own businesses.

SUH comprises a four-day business training course followed by a ten-month mentoring programme. It is FREE to service families and has continued to grow in popularity, having already been attended by more than 1,500 delegates at MOD bases in the UK, overseas, including in British Forces Germany, Belgium, Italy, and Cyprus.

“I can’t recommend the business start-up course delivered by Supporting the Unsung Hero enough! I have been living overseas with my husband who serves in the British Army and had been struggling to get my business off the ground. When I saw the course, I immediately went for it and my eyes were opened. I was able to learn from subject-matter experts and develop a business brain to complement my creativity. It has helped my business grow – I now have a steady client base and time to enjoy my photography rather than worrying about whether I’m running my business effectively. A big thank you to Sarah and the team who have been supportive throughout.” Daniel Knott, Semper Fi Photography and SUH programme delegate. ABOUT SUPPORTING THE UNSUNG HERO

The SUH business start-up programme has been developed specifically for Armed Forces families, to provide them with the transferable skills and support required to start and maintain a business, enabling families to become more financially stable and help delegates develop a sustainable career. The course is designed to be as informative, fun, and relaxed as possible and to provide encouragement throughout. The FREE business training and mentoring support programme is open to spouses and adult dependants of serving, veteran, and reserve Armed Forces personnel. Applications from veterans and reservists are also welcome.

With the support of qualified and experienced business mentors, attendees will have the opportunity to start and grow their businesses and meet likeminded entrepreneurs who are part of the Armed Forces community. From graphic designers, writers, sports coaches, crafters, and artists, the SUH team are there to offer guidance through the early stages of setting up a business.

SUH is particularly popular with Armed Forces families who are posted to EJSU (European Joint Support Unit) locations, as employment opportunities are varied and can be limited dependent on location. Many spouses choose self-employment to continue their career or start a new business venture.

Sarah Walker, SUH Project Manager, says, “We are so pleased to announce the extension of Supporting the Unsung Hero to continue providing service families with the tools, skills, and opportunities to optimise their capacity for business and self-employment. We have come a long way since our first cohort in 2013 and to date we have delivered 64 cohorts throughout the UK, at MOD bases from Scotland to Portsmouth and overseas in British Forces Germany, Belgium, Gibraltar, Naples and Cyprus as well as online. It is overwhelming to know that we have been able to positively influence more than 1,500 Armed Forces families who have gone on to start their business journey, with many now entering their third and fifth year of trading. We look forward to enabling hundreds more this year to achieve their ambitions and turn their bright ideas into real business opportunities.”

So if you are considering starting up in business, wish to develop your enterprise, or would simply like to learn more about self-employment, why not register for your FREE training place and join a unique and friendly business community?

For more information and to book your place on the ‘Supporting the Unsung Hero’, visit

info@supportingtheunsunghero.co.uk www.supportingtheunsunghero.co.uk supportingtheunsunghero supportingtheunusunghero supporting-the-unsung-hero supunsunghero

SUH TRAINING AND MENTORING

The programme consists of three stages of support.

STAGE 1: Introduction to Self-Employment (Monthly Webinars) This session is designed to answer all the questions you may have about becoming self-employed and starting a business.

STAGE 2: Four-Day Business Start-Up Course The course is taught by experienced business advisers from the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.

Areas covered include: • Market Research • Marketing • Law and Legislation • Business Planning • Cash Flow and Profit • Balance Sheets

STAGE 3: Mentoring Following completion of the four-day course, you will be assigned a dedicated business mentor and given an eight-month mentoring programme, consisting of five individual and two group mentoring sessions. The mentoring sessions have been designed to support you through the process of starting and maintaining a business. • Break-even • Financial Forecasting • Keeping Records • Tax, National Insurance, and VAT