Welcome to the latest edition of the SVBS newsletter.

This week, we're focusing on the first of our free social media courses for South and Vale based businesses, kicking off on 21 March. 'Creating a digital presence' is aimed at South and Vale based businesses who have little or no digital presence. More information can be found below.

We're also highlighting our 'Make a difference' interactive networking workshop, held in partnership with Oxfordshire Greentech and Jennings. We'll be joined by a variety of guest speakers, all running local businesses that are making a positive impact on our environment and community.

There are lots more opportunities, events and resources to get stuck into this week, but as always, if you'd like to suggest content for the SVBS newsletter, please get in touch with us.

- Team SVBS
Register now for our 'Creating a digital presence' workshop

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, businesses have had to act quickly to develop an online presence, in order to keep trading. We've received numerous calls for support in navigating the ever-changing, fast-paced social media platforms.

To help, we've teamed up with Concise Training to deliver a series of free digital courses, and next week, we're kicking off with our first event, 'Creating a digital presence'.
Date and time:
Monday 21 March
11:00 - 12:30


At the end of the workshop, attendees will have a list of action points to improve their digital presence, will understand the importance of optimising images and will be able to use tools to create images of the correct size.
Topics include:
  • What is your brand and how is it seen by others?

  • Identifying your aims

  • Understanding your audience
  • Choosing the correct channels for your business and your audience

  • Website top tips

  • Content planning

  • Taking, editing and optimising images (using Canva and other tools)
Apply for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant before Friday 18 March

Register for our free online ShopAppy marketplace

Access new funded support for organisation energy efficiency

Nominations now open for the JACK Brick Awards 2022

Free Small Business Sustainability Basics Programme
‘Make a Difference’ business workshop: do good for people & planet

Date and time:
Tuesday 10 May 2022
09:30 - 13:00

Becoming a more sustainable, ethical business can seem quite daunting. It's a global problem, so how can smaller companies really make a difference and help their community?

Jennings, Oxfordshire Greentech, and South and Vale Business Support are bringing you an interactive networking workshop to learn and share ideas. There will be great guest speakers, all running local businesses that are making a positive impact on our environment and community.

If you want to make changes but aren't sure how, this will help overcome some of the common barriers - time, cost, access to support and more. After all, it's proven that being more ethical and sustainable makes better business sense, too. Happy customers, happy employees and a healthier planet!

Register for the free, in-person event here.

Wed 23 Mar: B Local Oxfordshire+ 2022 Social; B Corp - what's it all about?

Thu 24 Mar: An introduction to Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

Mon 28 Mar: Making the best use of Facebook

Tue 29 Mar: The New UK Regime for Goods: Construction Products

Wed 30 Mar: Making the future the present: delivering zero-carbon homes in Oxfordshire

Thu 31 Mar: Making the best use of Instagram

Fri 1 Apr: Natural Netwalking in Goring and Streatley

Mon 4 Apr: Advertising on Facebook and Instagram

Wed 6 Apr: Networking in... "Energy Caps and what it means for your business”

Thu 7 Apr: Selling on Facebook and Instagram

Thu 7 Apr: Thame Business Buzz

Mon 11 Apr: Creating and sending newsletters using Mailchimp

Thu 14 Apr: Using LinkedIn to generate Business

Wed 20 Apr: Abingdon Business Buzz
Changes for district council car parks from 4 April 

On Monday 4 April there will be some important changes to district council car parks in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse. 

The key changes are: 

  • in the Vale, free parking will still be available, but most car parks will be reduced from two hours a day to one hour a day

  • in South Oxfordshire there will be a new charging period in most car parks, from 08:00 - 18:00   
For more information about the changes, visit whitehorsedc.gov.uk/parkingchanges or southoxon.gov.uk/parkingchanges.

Thinking of starting your own business? Here's what you need to know

Information about the £150 ‘rebate’ to help with energy bills

Not sure how to make your business more eco-friendly? Here's how to get started

Low-emission vehicles eligible for a plug-in grant

Business communications - SMS and telephone best practice

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To find out more about how the council holds, uses and stores your personal data, please click on the appropriate council’s link:


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