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Happy New Year! Welcome to the first 2025 edition of the SVBS newsletter.
This week, we're focusing on your last chance to secure a free, personalised Carbon Reduction Plan, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Mandatory regulations on sustainability are coming, and now is the time to prepare. Full details can be found below.
We're also highlighting our Visit Southern Oxfordshire website, cyber security advice for small and medium sized organisations, Small Business Britain's Green Growth Awards, OxLEP's Business Support Tool, the Government's Horizon programme and OSEP's Social Impact Business Bootcamp.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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Secure your free, personalised Carbon Reduction Plan before it’s too late!
The pressure on businesses to adopt sustainable and responsible practices is intensifying - and the clock is ticking.
The NHS is leading the way with its Five Supplier Requirements. Organisations who wish to work with the NHS must now complete and publish a Carbon Reduction Plan. South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are obliged to complete a Climate Impact Assessment tool for all projects, and suppliers are chosen on their sustainability values.
Additionally, organisations often need a Carbon Reduction Plan to apply for green funding, to evidence the need for new projects.
The window of opportunity to act is closing fast. Mandatory regulations are coming, and now is the time to prepare.
How to get your Carbon Reduction Plan
We've awarded UKSPF funding to ALP Synergy Ltd to carry out a Decarbonisation Business Support pilot programme, helping South and Vale businesses to lower their greenhouse gas emissions.
This free programme includes Net Zero webinars and workshops that will guide you in creating a personalised Carbon Reduction Plan, giving your business the foundation it needs to move forward with its sustainability journey.
The programme is free for South and Vale businesses, but there are a limited number of spaces left.
Even if you work from home, acting now is crucial. Businesses that fail to take action risk falling behind, as suppliers and competitors who are already embracing change move ahead. Don’t wait until it’s too late to start making a difference - delay will make it much harder to catch up.
Final call - don't miss out on fully-funded support!
The last chance to get involved in the programme is Thursday 16 January, at the 'My SME Business - 10 Steps to Net Zero and your Carbon Calculation' webinar.
This critical session will focus on the 10 steps that small businesses can take to becoming Net Zero. At the end of the webinar, businesses will come away with an understanding of business carbon issues and Net Zero, and will know how to access further help with carbon reduction activities.
Please note that you must attend this webinar to be able to progress to the next session, where you'll create a tailored Carbon Reduction Plan.
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Our Visit Southern Oxfordshire website is packed with things to do. Our carefully curated events calendar makes it easy to find local events within your area, from family-friendly festivals and seasonal markets, to outdoor adventures and arts and cultural events– there’s something for everyone! South and Vale are home to high quality independent businesses. While you’re out and about, discover unique gifts and take a break in welcoming cafés, pubs and restaurants. Rainy day inspirationDon’t let the rain spoil your day! South and Vale have plenty of things to do to brighten up any cold or wet day. Explore fascinating museums, take on an exciting escape room challenge, go for a swim or feed the animals indoors at a local farm. If you prefer to find a cosy pub and enjoy a hearty meal, there are plenty on offer. Whatever the weather, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out our Rainy Days page for inspiration.
Hosting an event?If your organisation is hosting an event in 2025, or you know of an event that we should shout about, submit an event listing for free via our Google form. We will then feature these on the website and via our social media channels. Keep up-to-date
You can now sign up to our newsletter, and follow our Facebook and Instagram pages to be kept up-to-date with the latest events in South and Vale.
This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The Visit Southern Oxfordshire website promotes charming market towns in South and Vale and their historic landmarks, scenic walking trails, events and authentic country pubs.
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Cyber security advice for small and medium sized organisationsFrom online banking and shopping, to email and social media, it's more important than ever to take steps that can prevent cyber criminals getting hold of our accounts, data and devices. Protecting yourself and your business from cyber security risks can seem daunting, but there are simple steps you can take to ensure you have the basics in place. The National Cyber Security Centre has advice on how to stay secure online for businesses, charities, clubs and schools with up to 250 employees. As well as accessing a range of guides and resources, you can now use an online tool to check if cyber criminals could target you, and get a free, personalised action plan for your organisation. Check out the National Cyber Security Centre website.
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Apply for Small Business Britain's Green Growth AwardsRun by Small Business Britain and BT, the Green Growth Awards celebrate small businesses that have successfully used sustainability to innovate and drive business growth. This is your opportunity to showcase how sustainable practices have positively impacted your organisation, whether through cost savings, waste reduction and recycling, customer engagement or creative solutions. Two winning businesses will receive £5,000 each to invest in their sustainability journey. The competition will culminate in a special event on 11 March 2025, hosted by BT, for a day of inspiration, networking and learning, and the announcement of the winners. Submit your entry by 31 January and share your story of how sustainability has helped your business grow.
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Get tailored advice via the OxLEP Business Support ToolAll Oxfordshire businesses will come across challenges they can’t face alone.No matter what stage your organisation is at, OxLEP's Business Support Tool can provide tailored advice and support for your organisation.The tool takes just a few minutes to complete, and will ask you questions to build and optimise your Business Support Plan. Check out the Business Support Tool on OxLEP's website.
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Programme to help Britain’s businesses and researchers reach the horizon from UK's associationThe Government has announced plans to drive up participation in Horizon Europe by researchers, innovators and businesses from across the country. Horizon is the largest research collaboration programme in the world and can kickstart economic growth through groundbreaking discoveries. Researchers and innovators can access grants to fund work tackling some of the biggest challenges facing society, from breakthroughs in healthcare to green energy, to putting productivity-boosting technologies like AI to work in the economy. The programme includes:
- Horizon Europe roadshows
- Horizon Europe brokerage events
- Renewed PR blitz
- Travel awards
Visit the Government's website for more details.
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Social Impact Business Bootcamp Funded via their UKSPF allocation, OSEP is hosting a free business bootcamp for early stage and start up businesses in South and Vale. Friday 7 February | 9.30am - 2.30pm40 Lydalls Road, Didcot, OX11 7HXThe bootcamp is designed to give early stage entrepreneurs a solid foundation to develop an attractive, resilient and successful business. You may have started a business from home, or created a trading charity or social enterprise to help your local community. The session will help you to identify your business mission and increase the positive impact your idea has. There will be opportunities to network with other businesses and find out about further business support. Lunch, teas and coffees, and snacks will be provided. Register for your free place via Eventbrite.
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