Find out what one of our advisors Baroness Altmann had to say about us and the older worker job market
considering a change?

So much more than career coaching....


Are you considering options, looking for a change or a role with more purpose? Our structured coaching workshop series helps you find clarity. 

Brave Starts is a non-profit organisation which helps people aged 40-65+ feel excited about the next 10+years of work.

Want some tips to get started? Take our super quick quiz.

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As featured in multiple publications and parliament:
Our supporters and trusted partners:
Winners of the 2022 Community Award awarded by the ILC
Read our success stories
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2024

If you are 45+, and considering what to do next

I have been on sabbatical for a couple of years and I am now wanting, no needing, to get back to work. My paradigm has shifted slightly due to my work experience and I want to give back and earn a modest income.So I joined Brave Starts. I am actually in awe of the Brave Starts' team members - they are professional and consistent and methodical and timely. In my 40 years, in my career, I have met only a few people like them.

Keith
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2024

Best £30 I ever spent. I've since been through the Welcome session and three workshops, and I'm getting immense value out of the guidance, support, and pragmatic advice around my CV, LinkedIn profile and job-hunting strategies.

After far too many months with no prospect of employment, I'm now in a position to choose which of the three offers in front of me I prefer. Much of the credit goes to Brave Starts, and the positivity and focus they helped me find. The community aspect is wonderful - getting to know others in the same boat, sharing challenges and strategies, and making friends. Above all, knowing that I'M NOT ALONE. Others are facing the same problems, and are there to offer support, encouragement, and useful advice.

Ken Pemberton
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2023

Meeting Lucy at the Postcards from Midlife event was the springboard I needed - and I chose to bounce! And I'm still up here, being open to change and exploring conversations after the most inspiring Brave Starts programme with four workshops run by Lucy and Alan. Thought provoking meetings with both comforting and challenging conversations, lots of encouragement and support. I would highly recommend anyone to try bouncing on the springboard with Brave Starts - even if you don't know where you're going you'll get agreat overview!

Zoe Handley
trustpilot-star-rating
2023

I wanted to verbalise and explore some thoughts. I had been having about career and direction. It was a really valuable session with some sound, pragmatic advice and points to consider and follow up on. I would definitely recommend Brave Starts and think it's both a great concept and service for people over 50 exploring direction around work and their options.

Grant
trustpilot-star-rating
2023

I joined Bravestart this week. Lucy has been excellent in her communication and support since our first interaction. Today I attended two sessions both different but equally informative. I really feel that this network and it's members will offer me the opportunity to move forward at the right pace to change my career direction and/or help me create a plan specifically for me....

Thomas Garside
trustpilot-star-rating
2024

An organisations genuinely wanting to help people over 45

I've done the core workshops and really like the refreshing take on how to approach things. There are more things coming up over the next few weeks which look exciting and I'm really enjoying being part of a community energised and engaged by what we're doing.

Cecelia Cheung

What We Do

This time of your working life offers huge potential. You want to feel purposeful and fulfilled. You're open to learning new things.

Until the world of work fully embraces the value of those 45+ we advocate a more proactive and evidence based approach. If you want to grow your network whilst being intellectually challenged then join us....

Learn more
  • A structured programme of 5 workshops professionally facilitated in small groups to help you find clarity and take action

  • A series of events to develop your career strategy, skills and professional networks.

  • An engaged community of 600+ professionals to support, inspire and hold you accountable.

Be Brave. Be Inspired.


Bravestarts is a community of talented and ambitious professionals over 50.

We combine cutting edge research with your experience and network to inspire your future career path.

Join OUR Community
FIND OUT MORE

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How does it work?

603

Members in
our Community

125

Supported on
Programmes

2400

Newsletter
Subscribers

94

% Average rate
Satisfaction

time to make a
brave start

OUR MISSION

As people get older, their experience and value is not embraced. Until the world wakes up, we're helping people understand how age can be an asset and how there has never been a better time to achieve their ambitions.

Not for Profit

Research Based

Community


We care more about making a positive difference than making a profit. We educate and inspire but only if we can back up or prove what we share and we know all of this is more fun when you engage and interact with your peers.

your membership

With more than 600 members, 250 experts, 100+ events a year, you'll discover many people and experiences to inspire you. Brave Starts membership is focused on helping you find the next step. Which option is best for you?

Community

Community membership unlocks our workbook series, 12 months of unlimited access to our fantastic community to develop relationships and build your network through our events

Community Events
New member welcome
4 Workbook over 4 weeks
Build your professional network
£30
/ year billed annually
Learn More
Explorer

We all know two heads are better than one, but what about four or five? At the heart of your Explorer membership is series of lively small-cohort workshops led by Brave Starts professional experts.

Everything in Community Plan
Coach led Cohort Workshops
Self-Paced Elearning Course
Get networked to sector experts
£600
Lifetime access, one time payment
Find out More
Bespoke

Perfect for when you need a 100% tailored solution to exploring, plotting and acting on your next steps. Choose your mix as we create a fully personalised approach for you.

One to one coaching
Group sessions
Personalised introductions
Job shadowing
Contact Us
*Flexible. Talk to us free to discuss.
Arrange a call

Add your voice

This open letter outlines 4 calls to action which seek to address the root issues allowing ageism to flourish unchecked.  

We ask for the UK government to investigate and instigate action on these main issues.

Read our letter by clicking on the image, and if you agree, sign your name and provide your email address.

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Free News and Tips

Our popular, monthly newsletter pulls together useful stories, articles, events and interesting opportunities you’ll not want to miss. 

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We have some awesome benefits

Check out what we offer to support you on your journey to becoming clearer on
your next steps

Member Events

You aren't alone: interactive meetings, workshops and monthly events support our growing community of people wanting to learn new skills and develop new networks and opportunities to improve their working lives

Community Based

Growing community of people between the ages of 45-70 offering a wide range of professional insights and experiences. Teachers, doctors, bankers, lawyers: the one thing we all have in common is a desire to work and help each other

In-built Expertise

Advice & guidance provided across all of our events by trained career coaches, psychologists and development experts specialising in supporting this community to appreciate age as an asset

START YOUR JOURNEY HERE

Complete our research backed survey

Take our WHAT Next tool and get the results to understand where you are in your career journey

Attend New Members Welcome

Attend a 1 hour session with other new Brave Starters to share your story and learn from others

Go through our programme or courses

Join our Brave Start Up programme to get the framework of achieving your goals and ambitions

Take Action on your next steps!

Build your plan on how you will make your career dreams into a reality and take your next steps

FAST TRACK YOUR CAREER OPTIONS

Courses

Take things at your own pace with our fantastic online courses

Programmes

Use our framework to build your bespoke career path

Coaching

Sometimes people need 1 on 1 support. We have the best.

Events

Meet your peers in informative and fun group meetings.

Newsletter

Monthly doses of content with events, articles, and research

Community

Connect with our growing community of Brave Starters

Become a Member and Get Access To

Interactive monthly events

Meet your peers in interactive, informative and fun group meetings.

E-Book
Our Starter Guide

Access our e-book: making your latter work years your best yet.

Career Coach
Meet other members

A directory of over 300 members giving you more chances to connect

Courses
Shine Labs
Coming Soon
Jobs
Career Coaching

Sometimes people need 1 on 1 support. We have the best.

E-Book
Meet or shadow an expert

Nothing beats practical insight from people who've been there and done that - (from £60 per meeting)

Career Coach
Monthly Newsletter

Get a monthly dose of content with events, articles, and research

Courses
Shine Labs
Coming Soon
Jobs

Meeting others in the same boat builds connection and confidence. Our members share a desire to work and make a difference: some work full time and are exploring options to build a portfolio of skills; others are building 'side hustles'; most have no idea what to do next and others are starting something completely new.

Whatever you are thinking, we can help in various ways:

our career guidance e-book

Focused on people mid life onwards

chances to learn and connect

Meet each other and share insights and experiences

monthly & quarterly events

Small business idea? Feeling stuck? Come and learn

Curated MONTHLY
UPDATEs

Never miss out on research, opportunities, and articles

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Some of the People We've Helped

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Ideas Refined

After nearly 15 years raising 3 children, Rosetta wanted to get into the fashion world, but without a network, she was ignored and mass online marketplaces offered no support for the money they took. Through our help, we introduced her to shadow one of the UK’s leading luxury fashion designers. She now runs her own fashion business - and is finally getting the attention she deserves!

Rosetta

Fashion Designer
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Business Plan Sorted

Mary was an accountant, but after years of dreaming of running her own accessories designer business, we set her up to shadow Susannah – a top handbag designer with revenues of over £3million a year. Mary has now moved country, she owns a factory and employs 10 staff. Oh and she’s been featured in the FT!

Mary

Designer
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Reality Checked

Antonio had planned to open a wine bar until he shadowed one! The reality didn’t match his dream and for him, the work involved didn’t justify the profits made. In his own words:

‘This is a risk free way to understand how the business you’re thinking of running actually works.”

Antonio

Wine Enthusiast

MEET SOME OF OUR EXPERTS

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Shadow a successful master craftsman

Jay Blades is a master craftsman - recognised as a leader in the field of upcycling - where his work is frequently showcased in TV shows as well as upmarket furniture places such as Heals and Liberty

Jay Blades

Master Craftsman
Testimonial Image

Shadow a highly regarded psychoanalyst

David is very well established psychoanalyst. He is an authority in the profession and regularly contributes to BBC radio programmes, as well as consulting privately for the NHS


David

Psychoanalyst
Testimonial Image

Shadow an Award Winning Voice Actor

Liz is an established Voice actor having started out as a project manager. She has won voice as well as small business awards. She has had clients ranging from HSBC, BMW, and Bvlgari to name just a few


Liz

Voice Actor
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