Hi, my name is purpleadder! Looking for advice on becoming self-sufficient and self-employed

purpleadder

Am looking for advice on my long term goal of becoming self sufficient and being self employed. What kind of help I can get have Bi polar and Rheumatoid Arthritis and dyslexia. Adaptions, business grants, mentor program have no clue 

Ross_Alumni

Hello @purpleadder

Welcome to the community, I hope you are well.

Becoming self-employed is a path that a lot of people choose to go down, working for yourself and setting your own schedules works for many people and enables them to manage their conditions alongside work.

Do you have any idea of the sort of self-employment you would want to do?

You can view a page on the Scope website here that contains information about becoming self-employed and the sorts of things you should consider. It also has some useful links to other pages where you could receive mentoring or other guidance:

• The Association of Disabled Professionals has information for disabled entrepreneurs
• Accessful Foundation supports disabled entrepreneurs
• RNIB business supports blind and partially-sighted people

Your GP surgery might have a social prescribing service. This will put you in touch with local organisations in your area, including support with employment.

You should also be able to utilise the Access to Work grant scheme, which you can read further information about here.

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community 

Do you know the type of work you are wanting to do and will it be as a sole trader or employing others , and will you be needing premises all things that would make a difference 

The job centre can advise and run programme to support self employment as well 

purpleadder

thanks thanks for the info 

purpleadder

I am housebound, I play online games, am starting my YouTube channel in November want to know what happens if I start earning money and if there is any grants for house adaptations to make it easier for me to do. I play in bed and sometimes sit in gaming chair but only for 30 mins max. I have had quotes for costs of adaptions going to cost me 3k or 4K. Have saved some money. I am also righting a book about my life with all of my Autoimmune problems it’s called Hermit or Kermit the extraordinary life of a Bipolar Gamer

janer1967

Hi again 

I would think if will take quite a whole if ever to become self sufficient from you tube buf it can happen 

For adaptions have you had a care needs assessment from social services as they will recommend any adaptions you can self refer through gov website 

As for grants do you own your property or is it social housing 

As for if any earnings will affect you depends on what you are claiming 

purpleadder

Housing association, I am doing a comprehensive business plan at the moment have a friend help me to organise my time, as soundboard and to help with my dyslexia problems 

janer1967

It us down to the housing association to approve any adaptions as the property belongs to them 

As advised before getting a care needs assessment is the place to start 

Ot will assess your current housing and if it us suitable for your needs 

They will produce a report for the housing association 

The cost of adaptions may in part be funded 

purpleadder

Ok thanks

chiarieds

Hi @purpleadder - & hoping all goes well for you in becoming self employed. The main concern your Housing Association (& neighbours) would have would be if people were visiting your home, parking outside, etc., which from what you've said shouldn't be an issue. Altho at the time we owned our own property, there was a clause about 'working from home,' but again, the concerns were just as above, so not a problem.

Yes, you should inform your HA, but also see this guide, specifically p.12 in relation to this. Some other good advice in this link available from the Government's website . Please see: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/39255/12-829-home-business-guide.pdf   

Some info here too: https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/knowledge/articles/2020/04/can-i-run-a-business-from-home/