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Welcome to the latest edition of the SVBS newsletter.
This week, we're focusing on the opportunity to tell us how we can support your business to become more sustainable. Wherever you are on your sustainability journey, we want to hear your feedback via our survey.
We're also highlighting shopping locally this Christmas, the draft Retail Crime Strategy, the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2024, Experience Oxfordshire's The Oxfordshire Welcome initiative, grant funding for farmers, Oxfordshire Greentech's Circular Economy event and FSB's BIG networking for small businesses.
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.
- South and Vale's Economic Development team
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Here at South and Vale, we’re encouraging organisations of all industries and sizes to become more sustainable. However, we know that it’s not always easy, so we want to know how we can support you.
Tell us how we can help
As well as doing your bit for the environment, becoming more sustainable means your business can make cost savings, access new markets, protect reputation and credibility, attract staff and improve morale.
To help as many organisations as possible to become environmentally-friendly, we’ve teamed up with Oxford Brookes Business School to create a survey, so that we can understand the challenges faced by organisations in becoming more sustainable and get an idea of the support needed to move forwards. We want to know if you’re a net-zero organisation, or you're on the path to becoming a sustainable business, or if you’re yet to start, and what support would be right for you.
We have been allocated UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) for 2024/25 to help businesses become more environmentally-friendly, and your feedback in this survey will allow us to use that funding to put the right support packages in place. Wherever you are on your journey, we want to hear from you.
The survey will only take around 15 minutes to complete. Without your feedback, we won’t know exactly what it is that organisations in our area need, so please make sure to have your say.
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The survey will close for responses at the end of January 2024. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us via business.support@southandvale.gov.uk. Further informationThis work is being funded by South and Vale’s allocations from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). More information can be found via our UKSPF pages below:
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Many small businesses in our districts will struggle with the cost-of-living crisis this winter, and every sale makes a difference. In the lead up to Christmas, independent businesses based in South and Vale need our support. Here's why we should all shop locally:
- It's great for the environment - products made locally and eco-friendly gifts have a lower carbon footprint and you can travel fewer miles to collect them
- Helps to grow the local economy
- Boosts job growth in your community
- You'll find one-off products that aren't available on Amazon
- Local shopkeepers are great at giving advice, are passionate about what they sell and pride themselves on the service you receive
- If you buy your gifts in person, you won't have to worry about late or missing parcels
This festive season, shop locally in our South and Vale towns - Abingdon, Botley, Didcot, Faringdon, Henley, Wallingford, Wantage and Thame - and support our independent businesses. |
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Draft Retail Crime Strategy - have your say
Following engagement with businesses over recent months, the Police and Crime Commissioner has developed a draft Retail Crime Strategy to improve the response to retail crime across the Thames Valley.
The Police and Crime Commissioner is now seeking further feedback from retailers on the draft strategy, which incorporates tangible actions to support businesses, with the aim of publishing the final document in the new year.
Any retail organisations across Oxfordshire can get involved and share their views on the strategy. To have your say, please email retailcrime@thamesvalley.police.uk.
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Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2024
The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2024 are now open for entries. Businesses, apprentices, education providers and champions of apprenticeships in Oxfordshire are encouraged to submit their nominations for the awards via a total of 12 categories:
- Intermediate Apprentice of the Year
- Advanced Apprentice of the Year
- Higher / Degree Apprentice of the Year
- Special Recognition Award
- Rising Star Award
- Shining Star Award
- Apprenticeship Ambassador Award
- Careers Champion Award
- Inspiring the Future Employer of the Year
- Training Provider Individual Award
- Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (<250 employees)
- Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (250+ employees)
Nominations will close on 19 February and finalists will be announced on 18 April. Find out more and submit your nominations via the OxLEP website.
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Get involved with The Oxfordshire Welcome
Experience Oxfordshire is inviting organisations in South and Vale to take part in a new 'The Oxfordshire Welcome' initiative.
The Oxfordshire Welcome is an initiative that encourages all visitor economy businesses across the county to align themselves with 14 pledge-points, confirming their commitment to delivering great customer service levels that embrace inclusivity, accessibility and sustainability.
Endorsed daily by established tourism providers across the county and beyond, the scheme is free to join and the self-assessment registration is quick and simple.
All sign-ups receive free campaign support materials to publicise their involvement. Signing up will also enable your organisation to feature free of charge in Experience Oxfordshire’s Only in Oxfordshire winter digital marketing campaign, giving your organisation exposure with both a web listing and campaign landing page.
Sign up to The Oxfordshire Welcome via the Experience Oxfordshire website.
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Slurry Infrastructure Grant funding for farmers
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced £74 million of funding to help farmers invest in improved slurry infrastructure to tackle water pollution, improve air quality and make better use of organic nutrients.
Applications are now open for the second round of the Slurry Infrastructure Grant, forming part of a total £200 million being invested in infrastructure and equipment to tackle agricultural pollution from slurry.
Farmers can apply for grants of £25,000 to £250,000 to replace, expand, build extra and cover slurry stores, and fund equipment such as separators, reception pits and agitators.
Find out more on the Government's website.
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Operating in the circular economy: Ideas to Business
Mewburn Ellis and Oxfordshire Greentech are hosting an in-person event on operating in the circular economy. Thursday 7 December | 4pm - 7.30pm
Saïd Business School
This event will bring together experts and innovators developing technology with a circular economy focus, along with venture builders who have worked with start-ups to transform their ideas into thriving businesses operating in the circular economy space.
Guest speakers will share practical tips and real-life examples to help you achieve your goals and ambitions, as well as explore the role of Intellectual Property and how it can be used as a tool to further green business.
The event will be followed by networking and drinks. Register for your free place via the Mewburn Ellis website.
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FSB: BIG networking for small businesses
Whether you’re self-employed, a start-up or simply looking to grow your B2B connections, come along to the FSB BIG networking online event.
Friday 8 December | 10am – 11:30am
You’ll have the opportunity to network with hundreds of fellow entrepreneurs in small breakout rooms and be in with a chance to pitch your business.
This festive themed event will feature Ben Hunt-Davis (MBE), an Olympic rower, as a guest speaker.
Plus, the networker with the most creative and eye-catching background will win a luxury hamper full of artisan food and drink from small businesses.
Register for your free place via the FSB website.
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