People work from home for a variety of reasons. It may be a natural progression following downshifting, starting a family or starting home education, a spell of ill health, disability, redundancy or it may be part of starting your own business. Whatever the reason, working from home brings with it many advantages including flexibility in working hours, a working environment to suit you, no commuting and being able to wear your own choice in clothes! So, whether you are an employee who works from home or self-employed, here are some links which I hope you will find useful:

Bed and Breakfast Academy

www.bedandbreakfastacademy.com

Everything you need to know about setting up, running and marketing a successful B&B from a Gold Award winning B&B landlady.

The British Franchise Association
www.british-franchise.org
The BFA website has many resources to help you to locate a franchise that suits your needs together with other useful support services.

Business Link Network Company
www.businesslink.gov.uk
Business Link is managed by the DTI and offers practical help and advice, objective information and support and easy access to a wide variety of business related courses. Their services are available online and through a network of local operators throughout England.

Business Network International (BNI)
www.bni.com
BNI is a business and professional networking organization that offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and most importantly, referrals.

Business Referral Exchange (BRE)
www.bre.uk.com
Referrals and Recommendations tend to be the most effective and the least expensive form of developing new business - yet many companies do not have a strategy in place to maximise their potential. Business Referral Exchange helps you to develop a referrals and recommendations strategy. BRE Groups are strong contact networks of trade and professional people who meet weekly. The prime and unashamed purpose of the Members is to generate qualified business leads for each other.

Ecademy
www.ecademy.com
A forum for connecting business people in an exchange of trusted networks

Envirowise

www.envirowise.gov.uk

Envirowise offers UK businesses free, independent, confidential advice and support on practical ways to increase profits, minimise waste and reduce environmental impact.

Homeworking

www.homeworking.com

This site is for anyone wanting to work at home and anyone already working at home. You will find lots to get you started, help you find work at home and avoid scams.

SEED
www.seedfusion.com
SEED stands for Sustainable Enterprise and Empowerment Dynamics, the Feminine Way to Do Business.
SEED will become an internationally recognized resource for women who want to make a professional change in their lives. SEED will provide the support and tools necessary to starting a business that will create economic independence as well as make a positive difference to society. SEED will also show the way to transforming an existing enterprise into one with sustainable values as well as showing those employed by others how they too can contribute to create a positive working environment.

Striding Out

ww.stridingout.co.uk

We work with young entrepreneurs in commerical, ethical and social markets to inspire, coach and support you to accelerate your business success. Aged over 30, then check out Branching Out or in the fashion industry, then check out In2Fashion

Sustainable Futures Foundation

www.sustainablefuturesfoundation.org

To promote the mainstream adoption of sustainable business models, practices and action by governments, companies and individuals that lead to a sustainable future.

SustainAbility

www.sustainability.co.uk

Established in 1987, SustainAbility advises clients on the risks and opportunities associated with corporate responsibility and sustainable development. Working at the interface between market forces and societal expectations, we seek solutions to social and environmental challenges that deliver long term value. We understand business and what society expects of it.

Startups
www.startups.co.uk
Comprehensive resource site for those starting a new business.

TCA - The Telework, Telecottage and Telecentre Association
www.tca.org.uk
The Telework Association also known as the TCA is Europe's largest organisation dedicated to the promotion of teleworking. The TCA believes that teleworking can benefit people by increasing their quality of life and improving access to work.
The TCA provides advice on how to approach teleworking, information on technology, examples of how other people progress - and uniquely - information about work opportunities.

Tradeable Energy Quotas

www.teqs.net

An effective and fair response to both climate change and resource depletion

TEQs (Tradable Energy Quotas) would reduce our reliance on fossil fuels fast, guarantee that we meet our agreed emissions obligations and empower communities to address the challenges of our times, allowing us to move into a happier, thriving future.

The Tyndall Centre

www.tyndall.ac.uk

The Tyndall Centre brings together scientists, economists, engineers and social scientists, who together are working to develop sustainable responses to climate change through trans-disciplinary research and dialogue on both a national and international level - not just within the research community, but also with business leaders, policy advisors, the media and the public in general.

Working Families
www.workingfamilies.org.uk
By working with parents and carers and organisations alike, Working Families helps children, working parents and carers and their employers find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work. By operating in the real world of pragmatic advice and practical solutions, we are making our vision a reality.

Work-Life Balance
www.dti.gov.uk/work-lifebalance
The Government introduced the Work-Life Balance campaign in 2000. The campaign was to help employers to recognise the benefits of adopting policies and procedures to enable employees to adopt flexible working patterns. This would help staff to become better motivated and more productive because they were better able them to balance their work and other aspects of their lives.