More volunteer mentors needed to help unemployed start up new businesses

Volunteer business mentors will have helped 1,000 unemployed people across Devon and Cornwall to start their own businesses by this summer, according to Business Information Point (BIP). However, this target can only be reached if more volunteer business mentors step forward.

Since June 2011, 821 unemployed people across Devon and Cornwall have started their own business as part of the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme and just over half of these (415) were set up in 2013. The national NEA programme, which is funded by the government’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), supports jobseekers who want to start their own business.

BIP, which leads the NEA scheme and delivers it with partners across Devon and Cornwall, expects to have helped 1,000 start ups by this summer. However, it says it can only reach this target if it can find more volunteer business mentors.

Thanks to the high quality of business mentoring and other support, Devon and Cornwall is probably the most entrepreneurial region in Britain with 74% of those seeking business planning support going on to set up their businesses, compared with the national average of 49%.

Volunteer business mentors; who have knowledge of running a business, work alongside business advisors to provide support during the business start up and planning process. While the volunteer role is unpaid, training and support is offered as well as travel expenses.

The time commitment is flexible with many volunteers spending around an hour a week on the 8 week programme, some of this being email and telephone communication. Volunteers can choose the type of business they wish to support and use their skills effectively.

Mentor Chris Langan of Okehampton said he found the experience very rewarding after running his own business and the time commitment was around an hour per week at most.

Brian Watkin, a volunteer business mentor from South Devon, says: “It’s very satisfying to help someone set up their own business. I’ve helped my mentees avoid some of the pitfalls, shared the knowledge I have gained over the years and seen them grow their ideas into a viable business.

"I also know that I am not alone and that I have the back up and support from BIP and business advisors when I need them. The time commitment is not too onerous and I get to meet some interesting people in my area.”

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer business mentor, please contact the BIP on free phone 0331 1000 338 or email catherine.h@bipwestdevon.biz