Read about some businesses Fresh Start have supported

 

Kirkby Resident's Business Success

After playing professionally for the likes of Ross County FC, Motherwell FC and Barnsley FC Darren Jack, a Kirkby resident, turned his focus to helping youngsters gain the skills and knowledge needed to follow in his footsteps.

Darren now runs a successful business helping children learn through play.  Whilst not only teaching ball skills, techniques and game experience your child benefits from improved social skills such as listening, sharing and communicating.  This can all help to contribute to an increase in self confidence, improvement of co-ordination, balance and healthy exercise habits that can last a lifetime.

The Just4strikers programme brings specialist concept to anyone aged 6 plus who wants to learn the specific skills and techniques required to become a top striker.  Sessions vary from after school clubs and seasonal camps right the way through to intense one to one sessions and weekly training programmes.

Also as part of the business Darren has introduced the very popular Mini Strikers which is aimed at girls and boys aged 18 months to 6 years offering a combined sustainable development and learning programme as children grow.

Darren started his business with help from Knowsley Council's Fresh Start programme that provides support and guidance and potential funding for anyone looking to start their own business or become self employed.

If you would like to learn more about Just4Strikers and Mini Strikers or for details of classes and venues near you then you can contact Darren on 0151 548 6499 / 07835 425 778 or by email darren.jack@just4strikers.co.uk

 

Knowsley Business Windtex blows away the competition

 

Under the expert guidance of its Directors, Brad Hickman and Phil Turner, Kirkby based Windtex provide a range of servicing packages to the Wind Turbine Industry both in the UK and Abroad.  With its highly specialised team of experts Windtex work in extreme conditions with trained abseilers to handle difficult heights and access problems.

Wind is world's fastest-growing renewable energy source with wind farms that produce no harmful emissions or waste products using modern turbines.  Brad and Phil took advantage of start up support and funding from Knowsley Council's Fresh Start project and Elect to help them with their successful bid for investment from the NWDA small business loan fund.  Their company Windtex Limited now employs a total of eight people including three lads from Kirkby and has outstripped all its original expectations with a forecast £330,000 turnover.  Brad & Phil told us "it has been an exciting year for Windtex we have invested our expertise, hard work and hard cash in our company and things are going really well for us, the banks told us they would only match whatever we could invest ourselves which would have been way off the mark but all the help and support we have received from other agencies has been crucial in paving the way to a successful future for ourselves and our employees."

Windtex can be emailed at info@windtex.co.uk or visit their website www.windtex.co.uk

 

Kirkby Tots and Toddlers benefit from new CIC

 

Tots & Toddlers Playgroup based at Mill Farm, Mill Lane, Kirkby has been revitalised as a Community Interest Company (CIC).  Directors Kelly Gratton and Tracy Thomas are providing Working Parents, Job Seekers and Students with affordable childcare between the hours of 9am and 3pm daily.

Kelly said "Working and non-working parents may opt to send their children to a nursery once or twice a week allowing their children to develop their social skills and prepare for starting school; this is particularly true for parents of children without siblings.  Job seekers and students that wish to attend preparation training and interviews have welcomes our nursery as we can cater for their budget.  We are a non profit distributing Community Interest Company which allows us to offer low cost affordable childcare for all, we charge £12 per session and £24 per day, parents are not always aware when they can claim working tax credit and we are happy to advise.  "Tots and Toddlers CIC is registered with OFSTED and both Tracy and I are fully qualified nursery nurses, the children learn and play in a safe supervised environment with access to a range of physical and educational activities they enjoy their time here allowing their parents the peace of mind to pursue their goals.  Our nursery is centrally located, the bus stops outside, we are only a 5 minute walk from the train station and we have ample off road parking available.

"We originally contacted Knowsley Council's Fresh Start Gateway in September 2009 and have received tremendous support from them and business coaching from Elect that led to a Fresh Start grant and as we progress we know we can count on them for continued support".

To contact Tots & Toddlers Text or Call: 07595 764 735 / 07514 386 525 or email totsandtoddlersmillfarm@live.co.uk

 

Clear Collections for Debt Free Accounting

 

Susan Fallace decided to set up her own debt collecting agency in June this year.  She said "I am actually a qualified teacher who diversified into debt collecting some five years ago; I was surprised when I found out that I was very good at providing a solution to bad debts and late payers."

'My company Clear Collections is licensed with the Office of Fair Trading and operates on a no win no fee basis for businesses and individuals; we have built our reputation by offering a quick turnaround combined with excellent results.

'In the main we work for medium and corporate clients who often choose to outsource all, or, part of their collection activities, however, we are very keen to help the growing band of small businesses who in general pursue debt as far as they possibly can before engaging the services of an agency.  Clear Collections' affordable pricing allows the proprietor to take early intervention and frees them up to get on with the more important day to day issues.

'Personally I enjoy running my own business there is something very satisfying about taking total responsibility for a job well done and being the master of your own destiny.  I took advice and support from Knowsley Council's Fresh Start Gateway and Train 2000.

Clear Collections can be emailed at mail@clearcollections.co.uk or visit their website www.clearcollections.co.uk

 

To read more and to see the 2010 Fresh Start businesses featured at the Knowsley Flower Show CLICK HERE

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