Figuring out 'what next' in our community

Career Guidance for mid-career professionals

Whether you’re seeking a fulfilling role, need to return to work after a break, or simply want to explore your options, you’ll feel at home at Brave Starts.

Our Supporter Membership plan opens the door to interactive events, self paced development exercises, networking opportunities, and much more. 

Most people start by joining our community, getting stuck in and building up their network...

Join Us
£30 a year (the price of a coffee a month!)

"The Brave Starts community allowed me to be open about what I needed out of my career"

Simon Long

"Getting clarity on my next steps was easier once I knew others were in the same boat as me"

Debbie Johnson

"The chance to connect and learn from  other people in the fashion sector gave me the boost I needed"

Rosetta Ahmed

come join our events

We have many events to choose from for our members to support them on their career journey

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GO TO EVENTS
Finance Surgery
This is a a safe space to come and ask your financial planning questions to an independent financial advisor, and get specific detail and ideas on what to do next.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: How to Find a Job When You’re Over 50
Did you know that only 40% of available jobs are found on job boards? The other 60% are “hidden”. Join this session to find out how you can access these jobs.
EVENTS
MEMBER EVENT: Getting Ahead in Your Job Search: Presenting Yourself with Confidence
Strategies and techniques to help you focus your job search on the right role, and interview with confidence and impact. 
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Monthly Member Meet Up
Meet other Brave Starts members, share your story, make new connections, and get support from your peer group facilitated by a highly qualified coach.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Monthly Member Meet Up
Meet other Brave Starts members, share your story, make new connections, and get support from your peer group facilitated by a highly qualified coach.
EVENTS
MEMBER EVENT: Career Development for Neurodivergent Professionals
​Meet Marc Crawley, the Director of Diversita, and explore career development for Neurodivergent professionals.
EVENTS
PEER TO PEER NETWORKING: Free Your Creativity with the Written word
Join us for this fun peer to peer creative writing session with Mish Apter. Practice free writing and get tips on finding daily inspiration.
EVENTS
MEMBER EVENT: Thinking of starting a business? Have you considered franchising?
Find out about franchising and how it's different to setting up your own business, the pros and cons, and what you need to consider.
EVENTS
BRAVE START UP: Have you got a business idea you’ve been thinking about?
Have you got a business idea you’ve been thinking about? Think the idea of a ‘side hustle’ sounds good? Hear from the founders on our Brave Start Up programme.
EVENTS
PEER TO PEER NETWORKING: How can creativity help self-discovery and healing?
Join us for this peer to peer workshop, and find out from Eleni Zevgaridou how creativity can help self-discovery and healing. 
EVENTS
MEMBER EVENT: Working Wise - Helping experienced workers find fulfilling jobs
Meet Mandy Gale, the Managing Editor of Working Wise, a job and community site specially focused on older workers looking for improved work-life balance.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: How to Find a Job When You’re Over 50
Did you know that only 40% of available jobs are found on job boards? The other 60% are “hidden”. Join this session to find out how you can access these jobs.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Monthly Member Meet Up
Meet other Brave Starts members, share your story, make new connections, and get support from your peer group facilitated by a highly qualified coach.
EVENTS
MEMBER EVENT: The Breadth & Reality of Call Centre Work
There is a perception about call centres not always borne out by reality. Meet Michael King and discover the breadth and reality of call centre work.
EVENTS
MEMBER EVENT: Peer to Peer interest Group: Creative and Artistic Sectors
Join our first ever peer to peer networking and interest group - a chance to connect with like minded people who share your interests
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: How to Find a Job When You’re Over 50
Did you know that only 40% of available jobs are found on job boards? The other 60% are “hidden”. Join this session to find out how you can access these jobs.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Monthly Member Meet Up
Meet other Brave Starts members, share your story, make new connections, and get support from your peer group facilitated by a highly qualified coach.
EVENTS
MEMBER EVENT: Getting Ahead in Your Job Search: Presenting Yourself with Confidence
Strategies and techniques to help you focus your job search on the right role, and interview with confidence and impact. 
EVENTS
MEMBER EVENT: LinkedIn Workshop with Chris Frederick
Explore how to improve and develop a strong personal brand on LinkedIn, and receive personalised feedback on your LinkedIn profile.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Monthly Member Meet Up
Meet other Brave Starts members, share your story, make new connections, and get support from your peer group facilitated by a highly qualified coach.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: How to Find a Job When You’re Over 50
Did you know that only 40% of available jobs are found on job boards? The other 60% are “hidden”. Join this session to find out how you can access these jobs.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Monthly Member Meet Up
Meet other Brave Starts members, share your story, make new connections, and get support from your peer group facilitated by a highly qualified coach.
EVENTS
Wellbeing workshop on retirement planning
Interactive workshop going through what you can do today to help you achieve your retirement goals in the future
EVENTS
Carving Out Your Own Creative Career
Explore what it means to craft your own creative career, with upholsterer Kerry Rutter, who has crafted her own career around the things she loves.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: How to Find a Job When You’re Over 50
Did you know that only 40% of available jobs are found on job boards? The other 60% are “hidden”. Join this session to find out how you can access these jobs.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Monthly Member Meet Up
Meet other Brave Starts members, share your story, make new connections, and get support from your peer group facilitated by a highly qualified coach.
EVENTS
Why is the train sector interested in people over 50?
Meet Emily Hocking, Recruiter for Arriva Trains, to find out why the train sector is interested in people over 50.
EVENTS
Finance Surgery
This is a a safe space to come and ask your financial planning questions to an independent financial advisor, and get specific detail and ideas on what to do next.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Monthly Member Meet Up
Meet other Brave Starts members, share your story, make new connections, and get support from your peer group facilitated by a highly qualified coach.
EVENTS
Getting Ahead in Your Job Search: Presenting Yourself with Confidence
Strategies and techniques to help you focus your job search on the right role, and interview with confidence and impact. 
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
Small Business Networking Group
Thinking of or already running a small business? Join our monthly small business networking event. Get advice and tips on running a successful small business.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: How to Find a Job When You’re Over 50
Did you know that only 40% of available jobs are found on job boards? The other 60% are “hidden”. Join this session to find out how you can access these jobs.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Career Development Drop-In Session
Get support and guidance on any career development issue from your peer group facilitated by a highly qualified coach.
EVENTS
Brave Start Up Information Evening
Are you thinking of starting a business? Find out about our plans to pilot a programme for our members who are exploring the idea of starting their own business.
EVENTS
Boomer or Bloomer - What's Next?
A 3-Day Online Summit: Listen to and engage with some of the most impressive speakers in the world of ageing better.
EVENTS
Small Business Networking Group
Thinking of or already running a small business? Join our monthly small business networking event. Get advice and tips on running a successful small business.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: How to Find a Job When You’re Over 50
Did you know that only 40% of available jobs are found on job boards? The other 60% are “hidden”. Join this session to find out how you can access these jobs.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Career Development Drop-In Session
Get support and guidance on any career development issue from your peer group facilitated by a highly qualified coach.
EVENTS
The Over-Qualified Myth – Busted
Find out why employers ‘get away’ with citing over-qualified as an excuse and what benefits ‘being over-qualified’ actually bring.
EVENTS
Presenting with Confidence and Gravitas
Join experienced Communication Skills Coach, Natalie Forkin, to learn how to present with confidence and gravitas.
EVENTS
Getting Involved with Brave Starts
Bring your ideas and enthusiasm to this meeting about how you can be more involved with the Brave Starts mission.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: How to Find a Job When You’re Over 50
Did you know that only 40% of available jobs are found on job boards? The other 60% are “hidden”. Join this session to find out how you can access these jobs.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Career Development Drop-In Session
Get support and guidance on any career development issue from your peer group facilitated by a highly qualified coach.
EVENTS
The Factors Predicting a Good Retirement
What is the better retirement we should be aiming for and what steps can we take to get there?
EVENTS
Thinking of becoming a coach? What is involved?
In this session we invite Dr Yvette Ankrah MBE to come and share her insight and thoughts about what it takes to be a great coach.
EVENTS
Thinking of starting a business? Have you considered franchising?
Find out about franchising and how it's different to setting up your own business, the pros and cons, and what you need to consider.
EVENTS
Finance Surgery
This is a a safe space to come and ask your financial planning questions to an independent financial advisor, and get specific detail and ideas on what to do next.
EVENTS
The Part-time and Flexible Jobs Market
Discover how to find your dream part-time or flexible job with the UK's most forward-thinking employers.
EVENTS
Working at the Wildlife Trusts
Discover what it's like working at the Wildlife Trusts - with Steve Davis, Head of HR at Dorset Wildlife Trust
EVENTS
Small Business Networking Group
Thinking of or already running a small business? Join our monthly small business networking event. Get advice and tips on running a successful small business.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: How to Find a Job When You’re Over 50
Did you know that only 40% of available jobs are found on job boards? The other 60% are “hidden”. Join this session to find out how you can access these jobs.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Career Development Drop-In Session
Get support and guidance on any career development issue from your peer group facilitated by a highly qualified coach.
EVENTS
Next Step Programme Information Session
Learn more about the programme: what you will gain, the format and why joining will benefit you.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Jobs in the Social Care Sector
Join the Head of Recruitment and one of the regional directors at Lifeways care group to learn about jobs in the social care sector.
EVENTS
New Year New Job with 55 Redefined
Find out which roles and jobs are most in supply for the 50+ market and which employers and recruiters are supportive of the 50+ applicant.
EVENTS
Small Business Networking Group
Thinking of or already running a small business? Join our monthly small business networking event. Get advice and tips on running a successful small business.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: How to Find a Job When You’re Over 50
Did you know that only 40% of available jobs are found on job boards? The other 60% are “hidden”. Join this session to find out how you can access these jobs.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Career Development Drop-In Session
Get support and guidance on any career development issue from your peer group facilitated by a highly qualified coach.
EVENTS
What Next Career Programme Information Session
Learn more about the programme: what you will gain, the format and why joining will benefit you.
EVENTS
What Next Programme Information Evening
Learn more about the programme: what you will gain, the format and why joining will benefit you.
EVENTS
What Next Programme Information Morning
Learn more about the programme: what you will gain, the format and why joining will benefit you.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Career Development Drop-In Session
Get support and guidance on any career development issue from your peer group facilitated by a highly qualified coach.
EVENTS
Small Business Networking Group
Thinking of or already running a small business? Join our monthly small business networking event. Get advice and tips on running a successful small business.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: How to Find a Job When You’re Over 50
Did you know that only 40% of available jobs are found on job boards? The other 60% are “hidden”. Join this session to find out how you can access these jobs.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Career Development Support Group
For those exploring career change or career development options and want to meet others who are also stuck and want to work out what to do next.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Values Audit with Czarina Charles
Explore the importance of conducting a values audit when you are thinking of switching careers.
EVENTS
Meet the Author with Melissa Addey
Get advice and tips from book author Melissa Addey and find out about the reality of becoming an author.
EVENTS
Small Business Networking Group
Thinking of or already running a small business? Join our monthly small business networking event. Get advice and tips on running a successful small business.
EVENTS
Achieving Success in an Ageist Market
Since you were last looking, the job market has changed. This is a small meeting, where we will go through your CV/LinkedIn profile and you’ll get personal feedback.
EVENTS
Career Change Programme Information Evening
Learn about the Brave Starts Career Change Programme and find out about joining the next cohort.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Career Development Support Group
For those exploring career change or career development options and want to meet others who are also stuck and want to work out what to do next.
EVENTS
Small Business Networking Group
Thinking of or already running a small business? Join our monthly small business networking event. Get advice and tips on running a successful small business.
EVENTS
Next Steps Support Group
It may have been a while since you were last ‘on the market’ and things have changed. Find out what you need to have in place.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
Ask the Financial Expert
Get hints/tips about financial planning for career change, retirement and the fundamentals of good financial foundations.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Career Development Support Group
For those exploring career change or career development options and want to meet others who are also stuck and want to work out what to do next.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Career Development Support Group
For those exploring career change or career development options and want to meet others who are also stuck and want to work out what to do next.
EVENTS
Small Business Networking Group
Thinking of or already running a small business? Join our monthly small business networking event. Get advice and tips on running a successful small business.
EVENTS
Next Steps Support Group
It may have been a while since you were last ‘on the market’ and things have changed. Find out what you need to have in place.
EVENTS
The Psychology of Ageing and Work
As we age, our values change and what we need and want from work changes as a result. This is often a time when people want to understand ‘what they should do next'.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: New Members Welcome
Meet fellow new members, hear about what is coming up and understand how to make the most out of your membership.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Career Development Support Group
For those exploring career change or career development options and want to meet others who are also stuck and want to work out what to do next.
EVENTS
FREE EVENT: Becoming a Non-Executive Director
Meet Elise Perraud, the Chief Operations Officer at NEDonBoard, the UK professional body for non-executive directors and board members.
EVENTS

what are the member benefits?

Join our great community of professionals aged primarily between 45 - 75 who are looking to understand their next steps.

You will attend events, get insights into your blind spots, learn about your future work opportunities, network within the community, and build the foundations for the next steps in your career.

Get started

Meetings

Weekly events to learn more about key career areas of interest

Workbooks

Structured steps and exercises delivered weekly into your inbox

Coaching

Get personalised career coaching sessions for £69 an hour to support you

Newsletter

Get the latest jobs, research, insights, and articles in your inbox

Get started

We have some amazing members too!

Come and network with our awesome community of professionals

Simon

From the Sports world to the Recruitment Sector

Debbie

New career path after going through our programme

Alan

New path after being a board director and consultant

Mike

Now CEO of ProAge after learning what he enjoys

WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE?

There isn't much support available for the 50+ professional wanting to explore their career options. Here are some of the most common options and we've illustrated where we are similar and where we differ;

Join our newsletter

Newsletter

Sign up for our monthly newsletter which contains a great dose of the latest news, research, and articles around the topic of living longer fuller working lives

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Tel:  0800 193 1404

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