Testimonials

I feel more confident now than I did before I was introduced to Five Lamps. I can’t wait to start my new job and learn a trade. I feel my luck has changed. I will definitely recommend Five Lamps to my mates.

Working with Five Lamps took the worry away from self-employment and made starting our business a much easier proposition

I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I felt like I couldn’t discuss the debts with my husband. I felt like I had no choice but to turn to an illegal door street lender

I can’t thank Five Lamps enough for their help. I feel that I can now get on with my life without the worries I have been carrying for the past 6 months

I found Five Lamps’ enterprise workshops really useful, particularly around issues such as National Insurance and Tax. The enthusiasm and knowledge of Five Lamps’ staff at the enterprise workshops was a deciding factor in embarking on this new and exciting venture

I would encourage anyone who is thinking about starting their own business to contact Five Lamps. Working for myself has given me an improved work-life balance.

I have received an excellent service from Five Lamps and can’t thank John enough for putting us on the right road for dealing with these difficult matters

Looking back it’s hard to believe that this is my story because I seem so distant from that way of life today. I strongly recommend people with similar backgrounds to myself to consider engaging with staff at Five Lamps to help change their lives too

I felt like I was being passed from pillar to post, nothing good seemed to happen till I heard of Five Lamps.

I had my first interview and feel great. I was nervous but thanks to the help I received I knew what to expect and was well prepared. Jane showed me how to cope with tricky question so had a few good answers up by sleeve

I couldn’t even get dressed on a morning and coming to see Darren at Dovecot Street cheered me up and made me smile. Darren has put me forward to volunteer as an Alcohol Support Worker and I feel I’m on the right track to come off benefit and secure employment.

The thought of volunteering was really daunting at first but it has helped me overcome my anxiety and panic attacks. I have made new friends and for the first time in a long time I can see light at the end of a very long tunnel.

The course helped to improve my confidence and motivation to find work

I’m not going to say that going into business for myself has been easy – particularly in this tough economic climate, but I can say it was the best move for me. Since setting up word has spread and business is getting busier and busier as the weeks go on.

Working for myself means that I can be a lot more flexible with my time, which means a lot when you have a family. I also enjoy the freedom it brings – working for yourself can be very liberating. I am still very committed to the business and to furthering myself and have just completed an NVQ Level 2 in Barbering

In the current climate it’s good that local businesses can get this kind of support. If we hadn’t had this we would have had to go to a bank and wouldn’t have got the same support

As well as the financial side we also received help from Five Lamps making a business plan and they continue to give us support along the way. Running the business is totally different for us so the advice has been very important