SUPPORTING THE UNSUNG HERO PROGRAMME
& How It Works
Free business start-up programme for Armed Forces families.
Gain the skills, confidence and support to be your own boss.
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WHAT IS ‘SUPPORTING THE UNSUNG HERO’?
SUPPORTING THE UNSUNG HERO IS AN AWARD-WINNING BUSINESS START-UP PROGRAMME DELIVERED BY THE BLACK COUNTRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (DEFENCE GOLD EMPLOYER RECOGNITION SCHEME AWARD HOLDERS)
Our delegate network is unique, comprised completely of entrepreneurs from the Armed Forces Community.
Now in our tenth year, this FREE business training course and mentoring programme has been in high demand from Armed Forces Families, Veterans and Reservists to help them realise their ambition to start-up and develop a business.
Supporting the Unsung Hero comprises of three stages of support:
STAGE ONE- Monthly and FREE
Our 1.5 hour Introduction to business webinar
STAGE 2 & 3 are currently on hold due to funding, please email us for further information
STAGE TWO- currently on hold due to funding
Our four-day business training course delivered online and face-to-face at MOD bases (subject to current government guidance)
STAGE THREE- On hold
Ten month's individual mentoring*. The course and mentoring programme is FREE to members of the UK Armed Forces and has continued to grow in popularity having already been attended by more than 1200 delegates at MOD bases in the UK and overseas
*Subject to funding
So, if you are considering starting up in business or wish to learn more about self-employment register for your FREE place and join a unique and friendly business community.
HOW IT WORKS: The Three Stages of Support
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Introduction to Self-Employment
Open to all the Armed Forces Community, this introduction to self-employment is a 1.5hr webinar covering the key areas you need to consider when taking the first steps on your business journey. Further details will also be given about joining Stage 2 of the Supporting the Unsung Hero programme.
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Currently our stage 2 & 3 Support is on hold, whilst we obtain further funding to continue to deliver you FREE support. For further information please email us on info@supportingtheunsunghero.co.uk
FOUR DAY BUSINESS START-UP COURSE
*Please note, you will need to have attended stage one before you can start stage two of the Supporting the Unsung Hero programme.
The course is taught by qualified and experienced business advisers from the Black Country Chamber of Commerce. The four day course is split over two months and will give you all the knowledge and tools required to start a business.
Content covered includes:Market Research
Law & Legislation
Cash Flow & Profit
Balance Sheets
Financial Forecasting
Keeping Records
Tax, National Insurance & VAT
Cash Flow & Profit
Balance Sheets
Break-even
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MENTORING PROGRAMME
Following completion of the four day training course you will be assigned a dedicated business mentor to help you and your business grow.. The mentoring sessions have been designed to support you through the process of starting and maintaining a business.
The individual mentoring sessions will work around your timeline whether it's weekly or monthly, we are here to help and can be delivered over the telephone or on-line or even face to face.
Additional Ongoing Support:
Business law webinars in association with law firm, Harris Clark Rickerby’s (Gold ERS holders)
Peer to peer networking via a closed Facebook page.
Peer webinars delivered from SUH Alumni
SUH Ambassador Network
DETAIL of the Three Stages of Support
(Expand the sections below to read more detail)
So, if you are considering starting up in business or wish to learn more about self-employment register for your FREE training place and join a unique and friendly business community.
“We have come a long way since our first cohort in 2013 run from the University of Wolverhampton. To date we have delivered more than 71 Cohorts throughout the UK at MOD bases from Scotland to Portsmouth and overseas in British Forces Germany, Belgium, Gibraltar, Naples and Cyprus.
It is overwhelming to see that we have been able to positively influence more than 2000 Armed Forces families who have gone on to start their business journey, with many now entering their third and fifth year of trading.”
- SARAH WALKER, SUH PROJECT MANAGER
Posted OVERSEAS?
Our team is dedicated to delivering tailored, programmes to families posted to countries across Europe (European Joint Support Unit EJSU) including British Forces Germany, Belgium, Gibraltar, Cyprus and Italy. We have been delivering annually in Cyprus since 2013.
Our instructors have more than eight years’ experience of helping delegates trade within the SBA and Cyprus overcoming the red tape involved. 2021 will see the launch of the NEW online European course, covering all the legalities of trading on EJSU base and with further support from the European Chamber of Commerce Network we can help delegates through the challenges posed by Brexit.
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![Trish Preston-Whyte]()
"This really is a fantastic course that gives you practical no nonsense advice from mentors who have heaps of experience of the business world. I highly recommend this course for anyone thinking or just starting their own business."
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Trish Preston-Whyte -
![Simone Riley]()
"As a previous attendee of SUH I would highly recommend. I’ve made life long friends and a few life time clients on my journey …which has not finished. Sarah Walker is an amazingly supportive mentor. I would actually quite like to do the course again!"
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Simone Riley
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