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Welcome to the latest edition of the SVBS newsletter.
This week, we're focusing on the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership's (OIEP) charter, and we're calling on local organisations to get involved. Full details can be found below.
We're also highlighting the Soapbox competition for small businesses to trade for up to a month in a major UK shopping centre, the National Cyber Security Centre service to improve your email security, the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Election, the Nature Positive Business event and Thame Town Council's Business Energy Breakfast.
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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South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District councils have pledged their commitment to Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership’s (OIEP) charter, and we’re calling on local organisations to get involved.The Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership is working together to create a more equal and sustainable region that creates opportunities and benefits for all people within the county.Going forward, the councils will be working to ensure that when we agree contracts, we assess what social value the supplier can offer the local community, as well as the value for money of the contract. We’ll also be exploring how we can buy more goods and services from purposeful local organisations, including SMEs, social enterprises and cooperatives. We’ll provide regular updates about this work through the SVBS newsletter.In the meantime, we’re encouraging organisations based in our districts to also make a pledge and join us in making Oxfordshire a fairer place.
What are the pledges?
Pledges are spread across several themes, including:
- Improve training and educational attainment
- Recruit inclusively
- Offer opportunities into work
- Support the local and social economy
- Provide fair wages
- Sharing resources, skills and assets
Why should I get involved?Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors are increasingly being considered by employees, customers, funders, investors and partners. Participating in the work of the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership, through the pledges you make within this Charter, provides a way of demonstrating your commitment to social issues:
- Promoting your role in Oxfordshire's inclusive economy work will help you to attract people to work with you
- Accessing the widest pool of talent will support growth and productivity within your company or organisation
- Purchasing from local suppliers and supporting your staff to undertake volunteering activities within the community will contribute to well-being and a sense of loyalty among your employees, differentiating your organisation from competitors
You can find further information and make pledges via the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership website.
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Small businesses offered chance to win a month's free shopping centre space
Small brands are being invited to pitch their products for the chance to trade for up to a month in a major UK shopping centre.
Soapbox is a stage at Completely Retail Marketplace, an event that connects retailers and commercial landlords. During the event on 30 April at Old Billingsgate Market in London, 10 shortlisted brands will take to the stage for four minutes to pitch their story.
The winning brand will get the opportunity to use a pop-up shop in either Westgate in Oxford, Bluewater in Kent or Southside in Wandsworth for up to a month.
Founders will pitch to a panel of industry judges who will be looking for criteria including the unique selling point, marketing strategy and how the brand intends to use the shopping centre space if they win.
The deadline for applications is Friday 12 April. Find out more in the Soapbox official guide.
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Check your cyber securityThe National Cyber Security Centre has created a free service to help UK organisations check for cyber vulnerabilities. This service guides organisations to improving their email security. It checks your email domain for two important areas:
- Email anti-spoofing: Preventing cyber criminals sending emails pretending to be you (known as spoofing)
- Email privacy: Making it harder for cyber criminals to intercept and read your email in transit
The tool runs quick checks in seconds. All you need to do is type in a domain and your results will be ready to view. This service is continuously tested to ensure it is safe to use. This service looks at publicly available information only, does not check any personal information and does not require you to input any personal details or download any software. Check your cyber security on the National Cyber Security Centre website.
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Apply for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme
Small businesses are the beating heart of the UK economy. They invest in future talent, export the best of UK innovation and are the backbone of their local communities.
The 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme equips entrepreneurs from all sectors with skills and networks to take their businesses to the next level. The programme is offered on a fully-funded basis to small businesses and social enterprise leaders who desire to grow their businesses, create local employment and have scalable business models. The programme is not intended for start-up businesses, sole traders or businesses that are not seeking to grow.
During the course of the programme, every small business owner will develop a customised Growth Plan to direct their organisation’s business strategy and expansion. Participants will benefit from:
- Specialist workshops
- One-on-one business advice
- Business coaching
- Access to professional experts
- Networking opportunities and
- A network of 10,000 Small Business graduates
Find out more and apply for the programme via the official webpage.
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Nature Positive Business event: Sowing the Seeds of Change for NatureHow can your organisation help nature's future? Wild Oxfordshire is hosting an event for Oxfordshire businesses who are keen to take action for nature’s recovery. Friday 19 April | 10.30am - 12.30pmAttendees will gather in small groups to hear from a selection of businesses about their journey to becoming Nature Positive. You will explore together how you can accelerate change to move your business towards being Nature Positive. Finally, you will work together to develop a set of actions for nature recovery, with a small gift for you to take away to remind yourself of your good intentions and commitment. Register for your free place via Eventbrite.
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Thame Business Energy Breakfast
The government’s Energy Bills Discount Scheme, created to protect businesses with an energy price cap, recently ended on 31 March 2024. The environmental impact of our fossil fuel energy use is also being felt closer to home, with more severe storms, flooding and summer heat extremes.
Thame Town Council is organising a Business Energy Breakfast event to help local organisations reduce the energy they use.
Friday 17 May | 9am – 10.30am
The workshop will cover eliminating wasted energy, how to improve energy efficiency and which low carbon technologies are appropriate for small to medium sized businesses. There will be light touch solutions for those with little time or money and more impactful suggestions for businesses wanting a strategic planned approach to energy. Everyone will go away with practical steps that they can take to manage their energy better.
At the end of the workshop there will be an opportunity to apply for up to £1,000 of funding to part-cover the cost of a building energy assessment for your business, which will include a site visit and report.
The workshop will be delivered by two experts from Energy Solutions Oxfordshire (ESOx).
Register for your free place via Thame Town Council's website.
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