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Guides to freelancing

Our independent and in-depth guides to freelancing - covering key topics you'll need to know about in self-employment.

Writing a holiday policy for freelancers
Writing a holiday policy for freelancers
Ensuring you take time off when you're self-employed
time off planning mental health
What is mental health?
What is mental health?
Understanding what mental health is, and understanding mental health at work for freelancers.
mental health feelings
Taking time off when freelancing
Taking time off when freelancing
Time off from your business when freelancing can be a challenge, but there are ways to put things in place to help you cope.
time off planning mental health
Sole-trader or limited company
Sole-trader or limited company
There are multiple ways of starting a business in the UK. Most will opt for being a sole-trader, but understand the differences before you make a decision.
planning tax
How did you sleep?
How did you sleep?
Good sleep health is a foundation of good mental health, but worries and stress can disrupt our sleep patterns, and impact our wellbeing, especially if you're self-employed.
mental health wellbeing
Self Assessment
Self Assessment
Our one page overview on what self-assessment is, how to register, how and when to complete your tax return, and where to find support.
tax planning
Payment on account
Payment on account
Payment on account surprises many freelancers, and it can be a painful cost you weren't expecting.
tax money
Mythbusting
Mythbusting
There are lots of perceptions about freelancing - some good, some bad, many false. We help you unpick the truth from the stories.
mythbusting considering freelancing
Juggling half-term and freelancing
Juggling half-term and freelancing
How to handle half-term if you're a freelancer
time off parenting planning
Getting ready for making tax digital and income tax self-assessment
Getting ready for making tax digital and income tax self-assessment
In April 2026, new rules will come into play for sole-traders to make tax digital and submit their income tax self-assessment. Make sure you're ready.
tax planning
Quiet Times
Quiet Times
Freelancing is rarely consistent in terms of workload, but when you have extended periods of time where there is less work flowing your way, what can you do about it?
quiet periods money feelings
Too solo?
Too solo?
Isolation and loneliness can affect freelancers, but working for yourself doesn't have to mean working by yourself.
isolation support feelings
Late Payments
Late Payments
Almost 50% of all SME invoices are paid late - leading to cash flow issues, wasted time chasing, and a blow to your confidence. What can be done to improve things?
money legal invoices
Dealing with bereavement as a freelancer
Dealing with bereavement as a freelancer
Whilst no-one wants to plan for such an event, dealing with bereavement is something which can affect all of us.
bereavement feelings
Contracts
Contracts
Too many freelancers work without contracts in place - and it leaves both you and your client open to risk. We introduce what concepts are, why they're important, and what you should consider including in them.
contracts legal
Community Matters
Community Matters
Building your own support network is critical - and being part of freelancing communities plays a big part in this.
community support
Back to work
Back to work
Getting back on track after some time off can seem like really hard work - here are some of our top tips to get back into the swing of things when you're self-employed.
motivation time off
10 things that negatively affect freelancers' mental health
10 things that negatively affect freelancers' mental health
Based upon our annual survey, we've highlighted the most common challenges that freelancers face which negatively affect their mental health, and provide some tips on how to avoid them.
mental health feelings planning