Skills, Work and Enterprise Devolopment Agency

We know that not everyone is IT savvy, and you can feel ‘left behind’ in the online world. You may have worked in a job that didn’t need a computer or your kids may want to talk to you over Zoom and it means nothing to you!

Our team will work alongside you – at your pace – as you find out about;

• Using a computer, keyboard and mouse

• Staying safe online

• Surfing the Internet

• Creating and using an email account

• Having a Zoom chat

• Using the web for job searches

• Accessing benefits information, Universal Credit and ways to save money

• Using social media to communicate with friends and family

• and much much more!

Being out of work can knock your self-belief and confidence but with our support we can help you get into a job and feeling good.

We offer help and support which is tailored totally to you and your needs – either on a 1-2-1 basis or in support groups – to help you find long term sustainable employment.

If you have been out of work for a while or have never had a job, it can seem that you’ll never be employed. We have worked with 100’s of people in the same situation and have helped them develop their skills and be able to get a job and career.

You may be out of work due to redundancy and that can bring its’ own problems – financially and emotionally – it can have a huge impact on you and your family.

Are you based in Sandwell and have always wanted to start your own business?

We have a team of advisors who can work with you to develop your ideas into fully developed plans and with the support to give you the confidence to take those steps – whether as a business start-up, a CIC or social enterprise or as an existing business who needs some independent guidance.

Our experienced business team can help you in three ways;

Business Start Up support
Business Mentoring for established businesses
Fully funded workshops

Business Start Up Support

Since the covid pandemic, many people have decided to take the plunge and set up on their own. If you have been made redundant or have had a ‘side hustle’ or hobby you now want to develop into a business, you may be ready to go it alone. This could be as a profit-based business, a social enterprise, or a community interest company.

Whichever is right for you, our experienced team can help you with fully funded advice.

It’s hard to know if you are receiving all the benefits you’re entitled to and everything you can claim for.  The online systems can be really confusing.  Our advisors have years of experience and can work out what you can and can’t claim for.

We sit down with you and look at your whole family and living situation and find out if there are gaps in your current claims and if there is any funding available to you.  Our advisors will help complete the forms with you, help you understand what evidence or paperwork is needed and even go to meetings as your support if you want them to.

We can also help you look at a range of other matters which can be overwhelming and make life more complicated than it needs to be, such as;

• managing your budget, your bills and how to save money

• energy saving and switching providers

• Universal Credit advice