PRIME

PRIME (The Prince's Initiative for Mature Enterprise) helps people over the age of fifty set up in business for themselves. PRIME was founded by HRH The Prince of Wales in response to letters he was receiving from people desperate to work but unable to find anyone to employ them - because of their age.

PRIME offers free information, workshops and business networking events. It can refer people to accredited advisers for free business advice, and in some parts of the country can also offer free mentoring and other services.

PRIME also campaigns at local, regional, UK and EU levels to ensure there is proper support for people over fifty considering the self-employment route into work.

"Some 800,000 people in the UK between fifty and state-pension age are currently inactive but want to work", said PRIME's Chief Executive Laurie South. "So there is still a big problem – and it's often overlooked."