The Barrier-Free Business Start-Up programme is designed to support Oxfordshire based individuals with disabilities in exploring how they can utilise Access to Work funding to initiate their own businesses. While the programme will touch upon business planning, its primary focus will be on leveraging Access to Work resources effectively. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage with OxLEP’s broader business start-up support network.

This programme will have three online workshops accompanied by one to one support. The Goals of the programme are:

1. To provide individuals with disabilities the knowledge and resources they need to start their own businesses.

2. To boost confidence and self-reliance among participants, enabling them to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.

3. To educate participants on the Access to Work funding process, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, and application process.

4. To help participants understand and navigate the Access to Work funding application process effectively.

5. To identify and address specific barriers and challenges that participants face in starting their businesses due to their disabilities or health conditions.

6. To guide participants in articulating their support needs and outlining potential

accommodations or services required to address these challenges.

7. To offer supportive business planning advice tailored to individuals with disabilities.

8. To connect participants with additional business start-up resources and support

networks, such as those provided by OxLEP.

9. To ensure that information about Access to Work funding and business start-up support is accessible and inclusive to all potential participants.

Each of the three workshops will be accompanied by a detailed presentation to ensure participants can follow along and absorb the information effectively. The presentations will be designed to be engaging, accessible, and informative, featuring a mix of text, visuals, and interactive elements.

Workshop 1: Introduction to Access to Work Funding

This first workshop will provide participants with a thorough understanding of the Access to Work funding scheme, its benefits, eligibility criteria, and the types of support available.

Your Expert

Melissa Sampson is an equality, diversity and inclusion specialist who supports individuals and businesses to understand Access to Work Funding. Mel is neurodivergent, and has discovered that navigating the professional world whilst being autistic and ADHD has given her unique insights into the challenges and barriers that individuals like her face.

Mel, is the founder of Inclusive Outsource who are here to support and empower neurodivergent individuals as they navigate through life’s challenges.

Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) scheme

The Growth Hub programme operates a Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) scheme. All SMEs which receive support under this programme are being aided under the UK Subsidy Control Act (2022) and The Subsidy Control (Gross Cash Amount and Gross Cash Equivalent) Regulations (2022 No. 1186).

MFA allows a beneficiary to receive up to £315,000 of Subsidy over a three-fiscal year period (i.e. the current and previous two fiscal years). The value of MFA given is the gross cash amount or the gross cash equivalent of the subsidy. The MFA value of this webinar is £542.55.

At the end of each financial year, we are required to tell you the total amount of support you have received from OxLEP. By signing up to the event you are consenting to us holding your data in line with our Privacy Policy – OxLEP Business to allow us to do this. We will only send promotional emails about new products, special offers or other information which we think you may find interesting if you opt in to marketing.