Salford Caritas has hosted an event to help refugees start their own independent businesses.
Their ‘Test my Idea’ event was held last Thursday (November 24) as part of their ‘Aspire Business’ program.
Rasha, the organiser of the event, said: “The purpose of the programme is to provide training for refugee entrepreneurs who want to start their own business.
“The program has been running since September and all the participants that are taking part in the entrepreneurship training are now at the point where they all have their chosen idea and they have like a prototype or business plan.”
The point of this event was for the refugees to receive feedback from members of the public on their business ideas and how to improve them.
Everyone visiting was split in to groups and given 12 minutes. In the first half they were given a business pitch and in the second half they gave feedback.
The event had a range of businesses from handmade hats to sandals.
Alimamy, a refugee from Sierra Leone who made shoes for people with mobility issues, said how Caritas has helped him. He said: “They helped a lot to build up my confidence that’s the first thing and how to go about it and get my potential customers.”
Here is Amir, an attendee of the event, saying how he believes the program helps refugees.
Rasha continued: “So we work specifically with people who are entrepreneurial in their nature and want to start their own businesses.
“A good outcome would be somebody soft launching their business or even like having second thoughts and thinking actually after what I know now business isn’t really for me.”
Here is Iman, who made flower pots stands and textiles explaining how the program has helped her.
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