Self Employment Support -Net Zero Workshop
Self Employment Support - businesswoman Karen Cannard, gives her take to The Bury Free Press:
Readers may have spotted an unexpected appearance from me in last week’s feature by MENTA, outlining my experience of attending the training provider’s Enabling Self Employment programme.
For those who aren’t familiar with the organisation, MENTA supports entrepreneurs with help, advice and training to launch and grow their ideas into thriving businesses. Since 1984, it has helped over 50,000 businesspeople, across East Anglia, to go it alone as sole traders or support them through setting up a limited company.
I explored MENTA’s services during the summer, as I too had decided to step into the scary world of self-employment. Albeit on a small scale, I still wanted to make sure that I was following rules of taxation and to ensure my book-keeping was properly in place from the start. After a prompt eligibility check and registration, I was quickly introduced to a series of free training sessions including Business Basics, Digital Business Skills, Book-keeping Basics and the Journey to Net Zero.
How fantastic is that. All of it of course, but I was especially pleased to see a net zero workshop on the agenda. With companies and business owners currently needing to relearn, revise and adapt established processes, the chance to ensure that new entrepreneurs, from the very start, are empowered with information on how to reduce their climate change impact is vital.
Many might question how a freelancer or sole trader can possibly make a difference. Unsurprisingly, the impact of one person may not seem great but imagine thousands of entrepreneurs making small changes together. This combined impact would make a key dent in the UK’s wider journey to net zero.
Designed in conjunction with sustainability charity Groundworks, MENTA’s Journey to Net Zero workshop outlines the context of climate change and why carbon is an issue. Highlighting how Suffolk and Norfolk’s ambition to become net zero by 2030, the workshop also dives into how business activities affect our carbon footprint, signposting to tools that are available to measure the impact and strategies that enable positive change.
On this occasion the workshop was delivered by Michelle Pratt, an established business owner who is also experienced in training and coaching. Michelle has worked hard to reduce her own carbon footprint and is passionate about applying these principles to business.
Of course, certain sectors have a higher carbon footprint than others and it is no surprise that business owners who work from home might wonder how the net zero course might be relevant to them. However, this is where personal decisions on the home front regarding energy and water usage, recycling and methods of travel cross over into work life. Just as a percentage of the bills can be allocated to your business accounts, the percentage of your consumption therefore contributes to your business carbon footprint too. In addition to this, there is the impact of your supply chain and any packaging you receive or use. Even if you recycle everything you can or use recyclable materials, there could be opportunities reduce the amount of packaging in the first place.
The Journey to Net Zero workshop was only launched in April this year. Its inclusion in the funded Enabling Self Employment programme was specified in the tender document issued by New Anglia LEP on behalf of Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils.
The workshop has already seen 111 people attend or confirm bookings and feedback from participants has been very positive with most attendees saying that they got more out of it than expected.
On a personal note, I am delighted that climate change and net zero feature in MENTA’s core training. I have found the whole programme to be extremely helpful, along with its WoMENTA support too. If you live in Norfolk or Suffolk and are pondering (or are already) working for yourself, I recommend exploring MENTA’s services at www.menta.org.uk where there is lots more on offer than space allows here.
Now with Hallowe’en, it would be remiss of me to end this column without my annual reminder that pumpkins aren’t just for scares but make great soup too. Food entrepreneurs, how about pumpkin seed flour or oil? It is a thing. Check out Grapoila’s zero-waste innovations in Hungary.
This article was written by Karen Cannard for the Bury Free Press – 28 October 2022
Discuss your business support and self employment questions with the MENTA team by emailing: heretohelp@menta.org.uk
Join us on our next WoMENTA Net Zero Session
