New Year, New Start - Digital nomad life, Funded courses for over 50s and Beach busking

This Friday sees the launch of a new online programme called Developing your Creative Business alongside our flagship course, Startup School for Seniors. The new programme aims to provide individuals of any age, focusing on the over 50s, with the skills and resources needed to start a business, turning their talent into revenue. With funded places available to Londoners, thanks to the GLA/Learn Ealing, we're looking for designer makers, content creators, and performers of all types to join the course, which runs part-time over eight weeks.

According to a recent House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee report, the UK is facing an economic challenge due to increased economic inactivity among older workers. The report cites earlier retirement as the main factor contributing to the difficulty in filling job vacancies but also notes that changes in migration patterns, an ageing population, and increased sickness have played a role.

My colleague Mark Elliott FRSA and I know that self-employment can be a viable solution for many individuals over 50 seeking meaningful work that aligns with their skills and interests. We've seen firsthand that some older workers have turned to self-employment after struggling to find employment in their desired field or being limited to low-satisfaction positions in hospitality and retail. If you know someone who would benefit from being part of a supportive group, all with the shared goal of helping each other to succeed, send them our way by directing them to startupschoolforseniors.com.

The past five weeks living in the Gran Canaries have flown by. I'm nearly halfway through my stay here. It's an easy place to live with fast wi-fi, cheap and frequent transport and temperatures that hover around 24 degrees with daily sunshine. The digital nomad visa, which promises British citizens working remotely the opportunity to stay for a year or longer, has yet to materialise. And I suspect I'm not alone in my desire to obtain one. Although I'm one of the oldest digital nomads on the island, I'm certainly not the only one attracted by the lifestyle, low cost of living and the weather.?

My two-bedroom flat works out at about 900 euros in the town centre, a meal costs on average 20 euros and a bus work out at roughly 1 euro/trip. What's not to like??

Over Christmas, I took the plunge and busked on the boardwalk overlooking the main beach at Las Canteras, earning myself 7 euros in 15 minutes! Despite being a professional singer and appearing on stages in London and Las Palmas, I've always been scared of standing in front of strangers outside, belting out a song. It was not as frightening as I thought, and I'm now working up a busking repertoire. Like most things in life, fear is short-lived; it's about taking that first step.?

After grafting through 2022, 2023 is about monetising my various interests and resisting the urge to give away my time. With skills that range from PR to fundraising, content creation to performing, business creation and growth, now is the time to build on my talents, turning them into cash. I have started this year completely debt-free and intend to continue that way!

Please get in touch if you want to start or grow a business or would like to work with Mark Elliott FRSA and me to bring our courses to your home town. We're always looking for partners with whom we can collaborate and help more older people take control of their financial future by turning their lived or work experience into a revenue stream.