This programme is aimed at anyone in the Lewes District area that is thinking about starting, or has started their own business. It will suit people who would like to learn and progress at their own pace and build local connections and/or a network of people who are on similar journeys. Our aim is to provide structured support to move you forward but the work, and rate of progress, is down to you.

You can join this programme if you:

• have a business idea
• want to start, or have started, a business and been trading for less than 24 months 
• live in the Lewes District area, or if your business is in Lewes 

The Lewes District Business Start-up programme can provide support for a variety of business structures; from solopreneurs to limited companies, Community Interest Companies to Social Enterprises and businesses that haven’t decided yet. In Module One we cover different legal structures - including plural ownership - and which is right for which business.

Lewes District Council recognise the enormous contribution small and medium sized businesses make to the local area. The development of, and investment in, local skills and talent is a key priority for the council who are fully funding this programme to provide increased access to support. We are required to capture specific data on course participants in order to measure impact, equality of access and support the case for future funding. Your data won’t be used for any other purpose. Our commitment to the protection of your data is outlined in our Privacy Notice.

This depends on how far you want to go with the programme and what your starting point is. Our in person workshops are 3.5 hrs with an option of spending a further 3 hrs on the day applying workshop knowledge with course participants in a supported environment. Each module comes with online resources and/or online workshops (each online workshop is 90 mins) to support your learning. However, you're free to choose how much time you spend accessing resources and furthering your start-up journey. As a rough guide, you can expect Module One to take around 1-3 months to complete, Module Two 3-5 months and Module Three 4-6 months.

We highly recommend that you join The Possibility Club whilst following this programme. We will use this platform to share course resources (online workshop recordings, worksheets etc.) and to continue conversations from live sessions. Within the platform you will have access to an exclusive circle for Lewes District Business Start-up programme participants who are at the same stage in the journey as you, to help you build your network and connections. You will also be able to pose questions for experts and other participants to help you with. If accessing this platform is problematic, let us know at sign up stage and alternative arrangements for resource sharing can be arranged.

The specifics of each Module are covered within each module page but in brief, participants joining from Module One will be supported to take their first steps in starting up a business, from idea through to business registration. The following Modules provide support and clarity on some standard business basics, helpful for newly registered businesses or existing businesses who are beginning to grow and develop. Our final Module will help established businesses (less than 24 months trading) to work through specific challenges or issues and is focused on developing a supportive peer-network.

You choose the modules that are helpful to you. You don’t have to start at the beginning, but participants must demonstrate that they have met the eligibility criteria for the module they would like to follow. You do not have to have met the criteria by completing the Lewes District Business Start-up programme in-person or online sessions. For example, if you are an existing business with a trading history of less than 24 months, you may find it more beneficial to join Module Three, Preparing To Grow, than Module Two, Mastering Business basics. To demonstrate your eligibility, you would need to submit your completed Business Model Canvas and business plan but you don’t need to have completed that with us as part of Module 2. If you have any questions about eligibility, you can contact us and we can help you find the best starting point for your business.

After each in person workshop there is an afternoon of optional independent working, in the same space, for you to begin applying your learning. The facilitator from the morning session will be there all day to answer questions, support with small group work and signpost to further information but no formal training is delivered. If you don’t stay for the session, you will still be able to access all of the Module’s online resources and ask questions of peers and course facilitators within TPC, if additional help is needed. Someone will respond to you within 3 working days. Please be advised that the Independent Working Sessions are ‘drop-ins’ so do not need to be booked but you must be registered on the programme to attend. All sessions operate on a first come first served basis, limited by the venue capacity. Attendance at the morning training session guarantees a space at the afternoon drop-in.

All resources and outcomes will be available to you via TPC and specific questions will be answered by facilitators where possible. The programme will run for three years, with Module 1 running twice in each year, so there are options for you to choose a more convenient time to join. Eligibility criteria still stands for participants who start but do not complete a Module. If you have booked a session but can no longer attend, we would be grateful if you could let us know in advance so we can make the spot available for someone else. If you miss two sessions without letting us know this could affect your ability to register on another course.

Peer learning is an opportunity to explore and troubleshoot real life situations and is a great opportunity to apply your learning and uncover something new, as well as build a network of trusted peers. These online sessions are opportunities for a small group of existing businesses, who may have experienced similar challenges, to work together in an open forum to discuss their business and/or provide support. Sessions will be facilitated to enable a variety of issues to be covered. Participants should be aware that we are unable to provide advice on any legal or financial matters and that any information shared and acted upon by participants is at their own risk.

Businesses taking part in Module Three are able to apply for 1:1 mentoring (3hrs in total) for support with specific issues. Mentoring sessions are online only, carried out at agreed times between the mentor and mentee and must be completed within 4-6 months of Module Three commencing. 

We are unable to provide advice on legal or financial issues including investment, purchasing, HR or contracting  .

Scheduled mentor sessions need to be rearranged 48 hours before the session time. We know that life happens. If something unexpected comes up when you have a booked mentor session, please let your mentor know as soon as possible. We regret that we are only able to offer one rearranged session per pairing.

Outside of sessions, you can continue to connect with resources and fellow participants via TPC. We will respond to questions and queries within 3 working days. We will also stay in touch with you for the duration of your Module and support you to move on to the next one where applicable. Once you’ve signed up, you can access any of the drop-in sessions attached to the in-person workshops (space permitting), regardless of which module you’re following.

We will be connecting with local IT infrastructure organisations and libraries to provide access to computers where needed. This could include short term loan agreements for equipment, or having confirmed computer access in a community space for webinar times. All of our webinars will be recorded and available as a resource via The Possibility Club from 3 days after a session so real time engagement needn’t be a barrier to accessing information. Our supporting resources will also be available in hard copy if required and we’re always happy to talk through any specific needs you may have. Our aim is to make this support as accessible as possible so if you think you may find it difficult to engage with any content, let us know at the sign up stage and we’ll arrange a call with you.

Registering with The Possibility Club is quick and easy. If you experience any problems in getting set up, contact us to let us know and we’ll be in touch to provide support.

We will run workshops across the Lewes District area at venues that are easily accessible via public transport. Year one will see us deliver sessions in Lewes and Newhaven, but if you have a venue or a town in mind that you’d like us to deliver in, you can contact us here.