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Welcome to the latest edition of the SVBS newsletter.

This week, we're focusing on the upcoming Abingdon Eco Fair, our UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Expression of Interest form, ShopAppy's Favourite Family Business Campaign and Enterprise Nation's Small Business Barometer Survey.

We're also highlighting Oxford Brookes' Help to Grow Management Programme and the next Networking in... session, 'Ted X for dummies'.

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
We're supporting One Planet Abingdon to host the Abingdon Eco Fair, a one-day event to bring together residents and businesses to celebrate eco-friendly solutions and resources.

Date, time and location
Saturday 13 May 2023

9am - 3pm
Abingdon Market Place

One Planet Abingdon are inviting companies and organisations who offer eco-friendly products or services to register their interest in exhibiting. The event will give you the opportunity to sell your products and services while gaining exposure for your business, and inspiring visitors to kick-start their journey to a lifestyle that's healthier for us and the planet.

Register your interest in exhibiting via the Abingdon Events Partnership website.
We recently secured £2 million from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) which supports investment in communities to increase life chances, support organisations and increase people’s skills.

The funding is split equally between South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, with £1 million available per district. 

We are using this money to work towards tackling the climate emergency and to improve community and economic wellbeing.
With most of the funding available from 2024/25, we are now inviting organisations to pitch project ideas that could help to support our plans.
To complete this form, you will need to provide: 
  • a brief outline of what your project will involve, how it will deliver the project requirements, and what experience your organisation has in doing such work 

  • details of how your project will address our UKSPF priority areas and interventions 

  • details of any anticipated outputs and outcomes that your project will achieve 

  • an outline budget for your project 
Please note - by submitting your ideas, you are not committing to undertake the project, and we are not committed to funding it or to offer funding in this area.

Nominate your Favourite Family Business

The last few years have been tough for local businesses, and we want them to know how much we appreciate them.

ShopAppy's Favourite Family Business campaign encourages local communities to show their appreciation by nominating their most loved family-run businesses.

Nominations are open until 18 June 2023. The winner will be announced on 22 June 2023 and will receive ShopAppy’s Favourite Family Business award.

Additionally, one lucky nominator will receive a £50 voucher to spend on the ShopAppy website.

Nominate your Favourite Family Business via the ShopAppy website.
Enterprise Nation: How is business for you?

The Enterprise Nation team are inviting businesses to share their thoughts via the Small Business Barometer Survey.

Your views will influence the support that Enterprise Nation delivers and be represented to key decision makers in government.

The survey takes less than seven minutes to complete and as a thank you, you'll be in with a chance of winning £300 of Not On The High Street vouchers.

Complete the Small Business Barometer Survey here.

Check out the previous survey results on the Enterprise Nation website.
Oxford Brookes' Help to Grow Management Programme

Designed to fit alongside work commitments, the Help to Grow Management 12-week programme combines a practical curriculum with one-to-one support from a leading business mentor and alumni networking sessions.

The next cohort will be partially based at Howbery Business Park in Wallingford, with some of the sessions taking place online. The sessions take place every Wednesday from 26 April 2023 to 19 July 2023.

By the end of the programme, leaders will be able to:
  • Enhance your management and strategic capabilities
  • Produce a growth plan for your business
  • Build resilience to future shocks
  • Learn how to innovate in your business
  • Adopt digital technologies to boost productivity and operational agility
  • Develop your value proposition and reach into growth markets
  • Improve employee engagement and responsible business practices
Register for your free place on the Oxford Brookes website.
Networking in... 'Ted X for dummies'

Join us for the next Networking in... event as we welcome Sam Warner, Communication Specialist at Get Your Message Across, to talk about 'Ted X for dummies'.

Wednesday 3 May  |   7:30am - 9am

Sam works with individuals and teams, especially autistic adults, who either have difficulties with spoken communication or expressing themselves clearly in conversation, or are apprehensive about presentations and speeches and feel a lack of confidence in front of others. Sam hosts TEDxTelford and coaches TEDx Speakers and in this session, she’ll share some of the tips she has learnt along the way.

The first 40 businesses to register for this event can claim a half-price ticket for just £5, using the code 'SVBS'.

Register for the event on the official Networking in... event page.

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