Careers advice

Advice and funding may be available to help you start your own business.

If you receive certain benefits and have a business idea that could work, you may be able to access funding and support – go to GOV.UK: help with moving from benefits to work or contact GOV.UK: Jobcentre Plus.

You can get free advice from the government's Business Support Helpline – go to GOV.UK: get help and support for your business. For more information on starting a business, growing your business, and exporting from the UK, go to GOV.UK: help to grow.

You can get specialist advice on starting a business in Thurrock through Nwes, a not-for-profit enterprise agency providing business support to boost self-employment and encourage enterprise.

Support for young people

If you're interested in setting up your own business, you might qualify for start-up support from the Prince's Trust Business Programme. You are eligible if you:

• are aged 18 to 30
• are unemployed or work less than 16 hours per week
• live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland

If you are interested in this scheme go to the Prince's Trust website for more information.

More help and advice

If you are aged 16 to 19 years-old, or up to 25 years-old with special educational needs, go to pages on career support for young people.

If you are 20 years-old or older, contact the National Careers Service.