About LYST

LYST was established in 2001 when two of our Trustees became aware that a significant number of young entrepreneurs failed to start trading because they could not find suitable and affordable business premises.

 

Our work is needed because there is a sizeable number of young people who believe that working for themselves is the only way to become finacially independent. Today we support in excess of 100 clients per year and 98% of our clients are either still trading at the end of our programme or have used the experience they have gained to move into employment or education.

 

How we help

From our experience of working closely with our clients we know it takes two to three years to establish a business - so we make our support available over a three year period. In the first year our clients make a rent contribution of 50%, this increases to 75% in the second and rises to a commercial rate in the third year. Each Centre has a Centre Manager on hand who is available to provide business advice and support. We also offers other support activities thanks to the invaluable help provided by our volunteers.

Who we help

We work with young people aged 18-30 and previously unemployed. Just under 80% of our clients are from black, asian, minority ethnic communities. 14% of our clients are disabled, 51% are women and 15% are ex-offenders.

We target those people who face exceptional barriers to supporting themselves financially. Typically they will have had difficulties securing employment or establishing a career.

How to apply

If you can demonstrate to us that you are in need of our help please click on Contact LYST to find the contact details of the most convenient Centre and give us a call.

We will, either help you to write a viable business plan and secure funding. Or if your funding is already in place we will arrange an interview with a centre manager to check that you fulfil our criteria. If you are successful we will provide you with suitable premises.