SARAH Jones of Parkend knew she would need some support when she started up an outside catering business.

She enrolled on the Dean Entrepreneurs Programme in late 2010, and immediately knew she had come to the right place for the perfect mix of business start-up training, advice and mentoring.

Now the Forest Business Incubation project is building on business start-up training locally by delivering a series of free business start-up workshops across the Forest. The first two workshops will take place in Cinderford and Lydney, and take up to 25 local people at each half day session.

The free sessions are tailored for local people specifically looking to explore self-employment giving an insight over a half day into what working for yourself is really like.

Sarah had been considering self-employment for some time and felt she needed something to kick-start her idea into a reality.

She said: "I came from a corporate background in the travel and tourism industry, after having my children I really wanted to do something that would fit in with family life. Working for myself offered me a real opportunity to do something I really enjoyed and create a better work, life, balance and so my business Chocolate Strawberry launched in May 2011."

Lydbrook-based trainer and course leader Miranda Jenkins from Skills To Go says: "These free three-hour sessions adopt a practical approach to starting up in business, giving local people the basic information they need to know about becoming self-employed, with lots of hints and tips. The best thing is that they take place at local venues within the Forest and are totally free of charge."

The next business start-up session in Cinderford is at the Bell Vue Centre on Tuesday January 31, or at Taurus Crafts in Lydney on Tuesday February 28, between 9.30am and 12.30pm.

To find out more about business start up training call Miranda on 07968 227736 or email [email protected]">[email protected]