MANCHESTER BUSINESS PROGRAMME
Welcome! You are now part of the Manchester Business Programme – a free, supportive programme designed to help Manchester residents explore self-employment, turn ideas into income, and strengthen early-stage businesses.
Whether you are starting from a spark of an idea or already running a small venture that isn’t quite where you want it to be, this programme has been designed to meet you where you are and help you move forward with confidence.
Over the coming months, you will be able to choose from a range of workshops, events and support sessions, as well as receive one-to-one business advice from a dedicated Business Adviser. Not everything will be relevant to everyone – and that’s exactly how it should be. You are encouraged to attend the sessions that best match your stage and goals.
Ongoing support to help you grow, stay accountable, and connect with others on the same journey
What You Can Get from the Programme
As part of the Manchester Business Programme, you will have access to:
Monthly One-to-One Business Advice
As part of the Manchester Business Programme, you will receive monthly personalised one-to-one business advice with an experienced Business Adviser.
These sessions are tailored entirely around you and your situation. Whether you are still shaping an idea, feeling stuck, or unsure what your next step should be, your adviser can help you:
- Talk through your ideas in a supportive, non-judgemental space
- Break things down into manageable next steps
- Get bespoke advice on challenges like pricing, marketing or setting up business admin processes
- Sense-check decisions and build clarity around what to focus on next
There is no expectation to have everything figured out – these sessions are here to help and will be held both online and in person.
Please be in touch with Talia to book in your session. You can reach her at reception@theworkavenue.org.uk or 020 8371 3280
Practical Workshops & Events
Below you will find the full list of upcoming events and workshops.
Each event clearly shows:
- Who it’s most suitable for (idea stage / early business)
- What the event will cover and how it will help you move your idea or business forward
You can sign up to as many or as few as you like.
Monthly Business Progress In Person Support Session
Alongside the workshops and one to one advice, we also run supportive in-person drop-in sessions towards the end of each month to help you progress your business.
These sessions are a supportive space @WE Hub Belmont where you can:
- Clarify what your next steps are and set actions for the month ahead
- Get help making progress on whatever you’re currently working on
- Share ideas, challenges and wins with other people on the Programme
- Feel encouraged, motivated and supported between the workshops and advice sessions
There is no pressure and no formal preparation needed – just come along as you are and bring whatever feels most helpful to work on that day.
Dates for the first few months:
- Thu 29th Jan 2pm – 3:30pm
- Wed 25th Feb 2pm – 3:30pm
- Mon 23rd Mar 2pm – 3:30pm
Monthly Zoom ‘Ask the Adviser’ Drop In’s
Got a question about your business? Join our Monthly Ask the Adviser Zoom drop-in sessions to answer your question and get quick, practical advice from an experienced Business Advisor.
Thursday 15th January 3:30pm – 4:30pm – Click here for Zoom link
Tuesday 10th February: 9:30am – 10:30am– Click here for Zoom link
Wednesday 18th March: 11:30am – 12:30pm – Click here for Zoom link
Access to our Manchester Workspace
Enjoy 5 hours of free workspace access per week (subject to availability), including 2 hours in our conference room immediately following workshops or events — ideal for applying insights right away and collaborating with other participants. The WE Hub @ The Belmont in Crumpsall, Manchester, is a vibrant, collaborative workspace with hot desks and fixed desks, home to a variety of small businesses, freelancers, and professionals.
To access the workspace, simply let our Building Manager Eli know in advance when you plan to come in – he’ll confirm availability and ensure everything is ready for you.
How to Get the Most Out of the Programme
- Attend sessions that match your current stage
- Use one-to-one coaching to talk through your personal goals
- Come along to the drop-ins for support and momentum
- Connect with others – peer support is a huge part of this programme
This is your journey. We’re here to support you, not overload you.
Practical Workshops & Events
Click to Book and Sign Up
14th January: Kickstart Your Year: Manchester Business Programme Launch
11am-4pm Location TBC
Join us for the first session of the Manchester Business Programme, where we will introduce you to everything the programme has to offer and help you set meaningful goals for the year ahead.
This workshop is designed for everyone – whether you are still exploring your idea or have already started your business. Together, we will:
- Clarify your proposition and the problem or need your business addresses
- Identify your target audience and who you are trying to reach
- Explore how AI can help with research, planning, and taking your next steps
By the end of the day, you will have a clear roadmap for you to start the programme and a set of achievable goals to guide your progress.
21st January: Building Your Confidence
9:30am-12:30pm Online
This workshop is designed for everyone – whether you are still exploring your idea or have already started your business
Looking for work or running a business requires you to present the best version of yourself. But if you’ve experienced change, been through a trauma, or like most of us are not naturally confident, this can be really challenging.
Join us as we share our tips for gaining confidence and moving to a positive mindset along with the ability to achieve your goals and ultimately to find work.
- Learn new strategies for coping with change
- Gain an awareness of your own mindset and how to shift the balance of power
- Focus on success and achieve your goals
27th January: Don’t be Scared of the Numbers
1:30pm-4:30pm In Person @ WE Hub Belmont
This workshop is designed for everyone – whether you are still exploring your idea or have already started your business BUT may be more useful for those people who have already started setting up their business.
This workshop is a How-To Session on using a Cashflow Forecast effectively to help run your business and also to outline the financial foundations needed to be successful.
The ‘bible’ of your business, a cashflow forecast spreadsheet is essential for keeping records of income and expenses and useful as a planning tool for growing your business and ensuring it is profitable.
- Conquer any fear you may have of spreadsheets as we take you through it step-by-step
- Make your Cashflow Forecast spreadsheet work for you, working out your totals and profit and helping you to forecast how growth or changes to your business would affect your bottom line
- Take away your own Cashflow Forecast populated with your numbers and with clear knowledge of how to continue using it
** You will need to bring a laptop and a charger with you for this workshop and have some idea of your costs and income to make the most of this workshop.
18th February: AI Basics for Your Business: Get Started with AI Tools
10am-12pm Online
This workshop is designed for anyone who does not feel confident about using Generative AI.If you want to see how AI can make running your business easier this hands-on workshop will introduce you to the basics of AI. It will show you different tools you can use and teach you how to create the right prompts to get useful results. By the end, you’ll feel more confident experimenting with AI for tasks like research, planning, and content creation – even if you’ve never used it before.
** You will need to access this course using a laptop and a charger and to download and create a CHAT GPT account before you attend to make the most of this workshop.
10th February: Personal Finance & Small Business Foundations: Why It Matters More Than You Think
1:30pm -3:30pm In Person @ WE Hub Belmont
This workshop is designed for any individual who wants to take clear control of their personal finances, and strengthen the financial habits that also support healthy small-business or self-employment management
This workshop is a practical, step-by-step session on how to build and use a personal budget effectively, understanding where your money goes, planning ahead with confidence, and creating strong financial foundations for long-term stability and peace of mind.
What You Can Get from the Programme
- Financial guidance, to help you gain clarity, control, and confidence in both your personal and business money decisions
- A practical workshop covering budgeting, debt management, saving habits, long-term planning, and healthy financial communication in the home
- Structured tools and frameworks inspired by renowned principles, giving you a step-by-step approach to building financial stability and avoiding common pitfalls – both at home and in your business.
11th February: Sales for Start Up’s
9:30am-12:30pm Online
This workshop is designed for those people who have already started setting up their business and want to feel more confident about sales!
Finding new customers, increasing revenue and growing your business through sales requires forward planning and an effective sales technique. This workshop will provide you with tools and techniques about selling your business or service and how to convert a prospective enquiry into a paying customer!
- Identify your Ideal Target Market and customer
- Learn what options are available to build your sales pipeline
- Understand the most effective sales technique when you are in a sales situation, including how to close and get commitment from the customer
9th March: Introduction to Marketing: Attract Customers and Grow Your Business
11am-4pm In Person @ WE Hub Belmont
Want to get your business noticed and start attracting the right customers? This hands-on workshop will introduce you to the basics of marketing, help you think about your brand, and guide you in creating an online presence that works.
You’ll learn what you can do to reach customers through multiple channels, consider what you need to do to make your business stand out, and develop a simple marketing plan that suits your stage – whether you’re just starting out or looking to strengthen your existing business.
19th March: Linkedin For Business
9:30am-12:30pm Online
Building connections and a brand profile on LinkedIn helps you stand out in a crowded marketplace and is an important aspect of business success, especially if you are running a business where you are targeting other Business owners.
This workshop is aimed at those with minimal experience on the Linked In platform and will help to clarify how to get the most out of your profile, connections and activity on LinkedIn.
Topics include:
- Developing and using a LinkedIn profile.
- Networking on LinkedIn
- Using LinkedIn to promote your business
In order to attend this workshop, delegates need to have created a LinkedIn profile. If you do not yet have one, please speak to your Work Avenue adviser who will be able to assist.