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Finding the right employment opportunity can be difficult, ensuring that you find the correct employer, hours, suitable and safe transport, and more. However, Self-Employment could be a solution for you.

With over 4.5 million self-employed people in the UK, 14% of these are disabled. In the last 5 years the number of disabled people self-employed has grown by 30%.

These numbers are fantastic and show that self-employment is a great route for disabled people, with the right support.

Where to start

For most people, starting your own business can be overwhelming and a scary thought. The unknown can put a lot of people off, however, with support from family, friends, and other organisations listed below this could be a positive option for you.

You will need to think through if this path is right for you, explore some of the following questions to see if your answer’s align with self-employment:

• do you know what business you want to start or offer?
• does it use your strengths?
• do people need what you are offering?
• is the money you will make enough to address your needs?
• do you know what equipment you will need to set the business up?

Self-employment isn’t for everyone, it might not suit you and your lifestyle, so ensure you think through this and speak with family and friends to explore their thoughts also.

Have a plan

Before you move forward and approach any of the services that can offer you support, it might be worth thinking through your business plan.

• have a good idea of your services or business that you want to offer
• research into what you will need to set up the business, equipment, insurance, training or qualifications etc
• look at the competition and similar services locally
• have an idea about finances, business running costs, what your charge will be for services etc

There are more things to think through but the above is a place to start.

Advantages and disadvantages

The table below shows some of the advantages and disadvantages to self-employment: