BUSINESS people are being urged to put themselves in the shoes of the unemployed and help a charity at the same time.

The Oxfordshire branch of the Fredericks Foundation is running a Trading Places initiative which is designed to challenge prominent business men and women to live on Jobseeker’s Allowance for a week.

The aim is to raise cash for the Foundation, which provides small loans and mentoring for people wanting to start businesses who are unable to find financial support from traditional sources such as banks, often because they are unemployed.

Karen Matthews, business development officer at Cherwell District Council, is helping drive the initiative in north Oxfordshire and will be taking part herself. She said: “We are looking for volunteers so they can see how hard it would be to start a business while on benefits.”

The current rate of Jobseekers’ Allowance is £50.95 a week for those aged 16-25 and £64.30 for those aged 25 and over.

Those taking part in Trading Places can seek sponsorship which will be donated to the Fredericks Foundation.

If they exceed their Jobseekers’ Allowance, then they will also be expected to donate the difference to the charity. The initiative will take place in the third week of January next year.

To take part, call Ms Matthews on 01295 221855.