Outset Bristol, the free business start-up service, has reached the landmark of helping launch 250 businesses and create 270 jobs in the city.
Launched in October 2010, Outset Bristol offers free business skills workshops and support to people across the city wishing to move into self-employment or start their own business. 
The workshops are open to anyone but are particularly targeted at those who find themselves in difficult circumstances such as the long-term unemployed, those with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds, single parents, the over 50s and under 25s and those who cannot commit to full-time work.
Outset Bristol’s 250th business is TempleFarmer. It has been launched by Scott Temple-Farmer, who after being made redundant, decided to explore self-employment.
With 22 years’ experience of staging training courses, coaching, facilitation, project support and strategic advice to businesses and their people, he decided to turn these skills into a business – but knew he needed some support, which is where Outset Bristol came in.
Scot said: “I was aware there were organisations that could help me with my ideas and Outset was recommended by a former colleague who had been through the programme.”
TempleFarmer provides bespoke services to all types of organisations, focusing on providing a framework for them to achieve their goals through facilitation, strategic advice and training courses. Scott feels Outset’s help has been key to his success so far.
“They have given me confidence, helped me prioritise, get my mojo back and believe that I know what I am talking about,” he said.
Outset Bristol programme director Andrew Dean said: “We are delighted to congratulate Scott on the launch of his business and our 250th start-up. As with all the businesses in the Outset ‘family’, we’ll continue working with Scott in the future to offer him ongoing support and guidance.”
Outset Bristol is one of a number of Outset programmes run by Cambridge-based international business creation and marketing group YTKO. It is funded by Bristol City Council’s strategic investment framework and the European Regional Development Fund.
