Starting a business

Who We Can Support

For Tower Hamlets residents facing mental health challenges and seeking support in their work journey, not everyone is interested in finding paid employment; some may already run their own businesses or may wish to think about how to launch one.

Whether your business is struggling and causing you anxiety, or your personal mental health challenges are affecting your business, or if you have a great idea and think self-employment may be a better fit for your circumstances, we can provide you with FREE business advice, as well as professional business coaching.

For those who are interested in pursuing or sustaining self-employment as an alternative to a traditional job, we offer a dedicated and free service that provides advice and support for clients wishing to concentrate on their own business.

Social Enterprises
If you have an idea for a community or arts project, or already have an existing a social enterprise or small charity, but would like our professional business support in marketing, funding applications, and impact reporting, our Business and Enterprise Service can support you to turn your idea into reality and deliver your project’s aims.

What Support Business and Enterprise Can Offer
Part of our WWT Tower Hamlets Employment Hub, the Business and Enterprise Service provides wide ranging support, including: single consultations for those unsure of what their first steps might looks like, or even up to 12 months one-to-one support from a dedicated and experienced Business Advisor, through regular email contact, face-to-face or online meetings for business plan development, regulatory and tax advice, marketing strategies, cashflow and cost analysis, funding advice, resource and grant application advice, business guidebooks and planning exercises, as well as professional business and personal coaching, signposting to business skills seminars and networking events, and much, much more.

This FREE service is available for Tower Hamlets residents who:
Identify as having mental health difficulties (no diagnosis required)
Are Neurodivergent (no diagnosis required)
Might be using or waiting for mental health services (not a requirement)
Or is already operating as a sole-trader or company director*, and just struggling to manage
*If your residential or your company address is in Tower Hamlets

To refer, please visit our referral section located here

Starting a business FAQs

What size business does the Business & Enterprise Service support?

We support a wide range of businesses — from early ideas (e.g. freelance work or small services like window cleaning) to established small businesses and shops, social enterprises, and community projects.
We can help you plan, stabilise, develop, and grow your business at any stage.
What makes this service different from other business support?

We provide FREE ongoing, one-to-one support, tailored to you and your business
We understand the link between mental health and career success
We work with you over time, not just in one-off sessions or short courses
How do I book a 1-to-1 support session?

If you are under the care of local mental health services, please speak to your clinician, support worker, or employment advisor about a referral.
You can also refer yourself via our referral form [link here].
For referrals from CMHTs, Talking Therapies, GPs, or charity sector organisations, please contact us for referral criteria.
What do I need to start 1-to-1 support?

If you are a sole trader or company director with a home or business address in Tower Hamlets, you can access support by completing our referral process [here].
If you are at idea stage, we can offer an initial consultation to explore your next steps.
If you are aiming to start trading within 12 months, we can offer ongoing and FREE business advice and coaching.
Can a support worker or external organisation attend sessions with me?

Yes this is a client-led service, and you are welcome to have a support worker attend if helpful.
Where appropriate, the advisor can also support with stakeholder communication or structured business discussions with 3^rd parties.
I don’t yet know what business I want to start — can I still access support?

Yes — you do not need a fully formed idea.
We can offer a one-off or initial session to help you think through your options, challenges, and potential next steps.
Can you help with accounting, tax, legal matters, or patents?

We can provide guidance on accounting responsibilities, tax, and general business regulations.
However, we are not a specialist accounting or legal service and do not provide formal legal or financial service accredited advice.
Where needed, we can help you identify and access appropriate specialist services.
What happens if I am unhappy with the service?

We aim to provide a high-quality, professional service at all times.
If you are unhappy with any aspect of the support you receive, you have the right to raise a complaint.
All complaints are taken seriously and handled in line with our formal complaints procedure.
You can access our full complaints procedure here.
Is this a training course or someone who will do things for me?

No this is not a formal business course and we do not complete tasks on your behalf.
This is a free 1-to-1 advice and coaching service, where we work with you to help you make decisions, take action, overcome challenges and develop your business.
You will need to be willing to actively participate and take steps between sessions.
How often will I need to attend sessions?

This depends on your stage of business, but most clients attend every 3–8 weeks.
Regular attendance is important to make progress.
Clients who attend consistently tend to achieve the best outcomes.
What happens if I miss or cancel appointments?

We understand that things can come up, especially when managing a business, other commitments or managing health or personal challenges.
However, repeated missed or cancelled appointments may result in your support being paused or ended.
This is to ensure the service is used fairly and can support others who are ready to engage.
What if I feel anxious about money, tax, or starting a business?

This is very common, and many people come to us feeling unsure or overwhelmed.
We can support you to break things down into manageable steps and approach them at a pace and with a plan that works for you.
Avoiding these areas can make things more stressful over time, so we aim to support you through them in a structured way.
Do I need to have everything figured out before I start?

No you do not need a finished business plan or clear idea.
We can help you explore your ideas and decide whether self-employment is right for you.
However, you do need to be open to thinking things through and taking steps forward to receive ongoing one-to-one support.
How long can I receive support for?

Support can be offered for up to 12 months, depending on your needs and engagement.
Some clients may only need a few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support.
Will you help me apply for grants or start-up funding?

Yes, we can support you with:
Understanding funding options
Developing your idea
Preparing strong applications
However, funding is not guaranteed, and strong applications require clear plans and commitment.
Can you guarantee that my business will succeed?

No we cannot guarantee outcomes.
What we can do is help you:
Make informed decisions
Avoid common mistakes
Build a more realistic and sustainable approach
Your progress will depend on your engagement and effort.
I am going through a difficult time — is this the right moment to start?

This depends on your situation.
If you are in a period of crisis or unable to engage regularly, it may be better to wait until things are more stable.
We can still offer an initial conversation to help you decide the when the timing might be right for you.
Can you help me if I already have a SME business but I’m struggling?

Yes we regularly support people who:
Feel stuck or overwhelmed by their business
Have had a drop in revenue or are having cashflow issues
Need help restructuring or stabilising their business
Do I need to live in Tower Hamlets?

Yes this service is currently available to Tower Hamlets residents or those with a business based in the borough.