WOMEN in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) are delivering their FREE award winning Opening Doors courses (funded by Business Link West Midlands) to women keen to start their own enterprise in Worcestershire. The Opening Doors course aims to give women the skills and confidence to put the foundations in place to start a new business. Since April 2009, the Opening Doors programme has helped over 150 women, from a variety of backgrounds in the West Midlands start a business.

The first session takes attendees through the initial steps in starting a business and also focuses on building confidence. Day two of the course looks at creating a business plan- particularly focusing on the key areas of finance and marketing. The final session is a one to one with a business advisor, allowing attendees to ask questions specific to their business idea.

“Each day is packed with useful, practical advice and the chance to meet like-minded women at similar stages in their business ideas” states Sarah Roberts from WiRE.

WiRE will be commencing the 3 day Opening Doors Course at Shire Farm, Hawford in Worcestershire starting on Monday 7th June, continuing with Day 2 on Monday 14th June and completing the one to one business advice sessions with indiviudual businesses between 9.00am and 3.00pm on Monday 21st June.

The sessions run between 9.00am and 3.00pm. The support of Opening Doors continues after the workshops with the provision of mentoring for businesses less than 12 months old.

WiRE is part of a national organisation based at Harper Adams University which started in 1996 to provide a supportive network for rural women running businesses. There are now over 70 WiRE networks across the country offering a local support group to women at all stages of their business. The organisation recently held its 10th annual conference which was opened by the Governments Rural Advocate, Dr. Stuart Burgess who stated “Anyone who has worked with WiRE would understand the great work they do to ensure rural businesses run by women gain the respect and support they deserve and need”.

For more information about WiRE and the Opening Doors events contact info@wireuk.org or call 01952 815338. Places are limited so please contact us to reserve your place. By visiting www.wireuk.org, you can find out more about Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) membership and how it can help support your business.