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Welcome to the latest edition of the SVBS newsletter.
This week, we're focusing on free energy assessments for SMEs in Vale of White Horse. Organisations who receive an energy report can then apply for funding. Further details can be found below.
We're also highlighting the upcoming REPF grant fund, the Keep Britain Working survey, transforming your manufacturing business with Made Smarter support, apprenticeship support from the Oxfordshire Skills Hub, how a Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) can benefit your business, the AXA Startup Angel competition, planning your May Bank Holiday and half-term via Visit Southern Oxfordshire, the next Harwell Connect session and the Breakfast of Champions event in Henley.
Plus, follow us on Facebook and X to be kept up-to-date in between our weekly newsletters.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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We’ve awarded UKSPF funding to Low Carbon Hub to provide businesses in Vale with a free energy assessment at their site, and a bespoke decarbonisation plan.
The surveys will be carried out by experienced experts who will review site and energy data, and provide recommendations across a wide range of topics, including insulation, lighting, renewables and electric vehicle chargers.All participating organisations will receive bespoke recommendations for their premises, each with a rationale and steps for implementation, supported with informed estimates of costs and savings. The report will also include details on suitable finance options to achieve these goals.
Upon receiving an energy assessment and a decarbonisation plan, on average, organisations can cut their energy bills by 19%.
Register your interest via the Energy Solutions Oxfordshire website.
Organisations who have had an energy efficiency report from Energy Solutions Oxfordshire can then apply for the Green Fund. Matched funding of up to £10,000 is available for any SME undertaking energy efficiency or renewables projects. Find out more via the Green Fund webpage.
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South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils will soon be opening the next round of the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF). While the final policy for the scheme is making its way through our democratic approvals process, we wanted to share some advanced information with potential applicants to help them prepare ahead of the application window opening. Visit our South and Vale websites for more details on the scheme.
Please note that there is likely to be a limited application window. If you have a project that you think would be a good fit, or have any questions about the scheme, please get in touch.
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Have your say in the Keep Britain Working survey
Organisations in South and Vale are encouraged to have their say on the Keep Britain Working Review. The UK Government's independent review considers how Government can support employers to recruit and retain more people with health conditions and disabilities, promote healthy workplaces and support more people to stay in or return to work from periods of sickness absence. Early findings set out the key areas to explore in the next phase of the review. Organisations are encouraged to engage with the early review findings and input views via a survey, open for responses until midnight on Friday 30 May. Feedback gathered will help to inform the final report, expected to be published in Autumn 2025. Have your say via the survey.
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Transform your manufacturing business with Made Smarter supportIf your business manufactures tangible items, the Made Smarter programme can help you boost your competitiveness and productivity. Made Smarter is designed to support manufacturing businesses, makers and creators, by providing expert advice and support on how to switch to advanced and automated technologies. Made Smarter offers:
- Match-Funding: Up to £20k is available to help you purchase the technology you need. This funding is up to 50% match-funded, making it easier for you to invest in new digital technologies
- Technical Support: A team of experts will provide guidance on the implementation and adoption of new digital technologies tailored to your business needs
- Skills Development: Leadership mentoring and workforce development training to ensure your team is equipped to handle new technologies and processes.
Register now for a free personalised assessment.
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Oxfordshire apprenticeship levy-paying businesses urged to pledge unused funds to support apprenticeshipsOxfordshire Skills Hub is excited to announce the extension of the Social Contract Programme to September 2025 – including the Apprenticeship Levy Pledge Initiative.The initiative supports apprenticeship levy-paying businesses to commit their unused funds to support other Oxfordshire businesses to take on apprentices.Employers in the county with an annual pay bill of £3m+ pay 0.5% of this as an apprenticeship levy and can pledge up to 50% of their levy funds annually. Levy can be pledged to Oxfordshire based SMEs and other Levy paying businesses who have fully utilised their funds, charities and social enterprises to help fund apprenticeship training and assessment.SMEs that are interested in taking on an apprentice are also urged to engage with the programme, as they may be eligible to receive available transferred funds.If this is of interest, get in touch with the Oxfordshire Skills Hub.
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Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP)A sector-based work academy programme (SWAP) gives jobseekers who are 16 and over, and claiming benefits, the opportunity to apply for jobs. A SWAP is a partnership between your business, Jobcentre Plus and a training provider. This programme can last up to 6 weeks and includes:
- pre-employment training, matched to your business sector and delivered by you or a local training provider
- a short work placement with your business
- a guaranteed job interview or help with your application process.
Offering a SWAP can give you the opportunity to see if an individual is suited to a role within your business, help you to recruit staff with the right training and skills through tailored pre-employment training, and give you access to a large pool of candidates. Find out how you can get involved via the Department for Education website.
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Win £25,000 startup funding to kick-start your business The AXA Startup Angel competition gives UK entrepreneurs a chance to turn their business dreams into a reality. The competition offers a variety of prizes and mentoring to six of the most promising up and coming businesses from across the UK. Two top prize winners will receive:
- £25,000 funding to launch your idea or take your business to the next level
- Business insurance for a year
- Dedicated mentoring from the AXA Startup Angels
- Access to a Mental Health webinar provided by AXA Health
- 50% off business health insurance provided by AXA Health
Four runners up will receive:
- A profile on their business in The Standard
- Mentoring from The Standard team on digital branding, marketing and social media
- VIP access to SME XPO 2026
- Total value of the runners up prize estimated to be over £18,000
Apply via the AXA website.
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The second May Bank Holiday and May half-term are rapidly approaching, and the Visit Southern Oxfordshire website has plenty of events to keep you entertained! Head to a festival, climb over hay bales, attend a talk, enjoy the circus, take a scenic walk or cycle route, have a go at axe throwing, find the clues in a children’s trail or visit your local museum. Discover the best ways to make the most of the breaks via our 'What's on' calendar. |
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Harwell Connect @ Rosalind Franklin InstituteCome along to Harwell Campus for the next Harwell Connect session at the Rosalind Franklin Institute.Thursday 22 May | 3pm - 4.30pm
Hear from Dr Michele Darrow, who leads the Franklin’s new Quantitative Biology Across Scales Challenge, and Chloe Cheng, a final year Franklin PhD student who’s working with Dr Darrow on an interdisciplinary research project.There’ll also be the opportunity to take a ‘window tour’ of the labs – your behind-the-scenes access to the areas where cutting-edge research takes place - with time for networking and refreshments.Register for your free place via the Harwell Campus website.
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Breakfast of Champions: Henley-on-Thames Come along to Bremont Watch Company for the next in a series of Oxfordshire Champions meetings. Friday 6 June | 8am - 10.45am'The Wing', Reading Rd, Henley, RG9 4GE
Hear inspirational local people talk about what makes this place special to them, and about new initiatives, developments and success stories from the people that are making them happen. Alongside this you will be able to meet colleagues and build networks with people from a range of different sectors.Following the event, there will be an optional tour of the state-of-the-art 35,000 sq ft facility - the home of British watchmaking at the forefront of the revival of this historically British craft. Register for your free place via the Our Oxfordshire Story website.
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Boost your business success – stay connected with us!
Are you ready to take your business to the next level? We’re here to provide the tools, insights and resources you need to succeed.
Follow our social media channels for:
- The latest business news
- Important events
- Practical advice and guidance
- Opportunities for businesses.
Follow us on our new Facebook page and X account to keep up to date.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration, knowledge or just a little extra motivation, we’ve got you covered. We’re here to help your business thrive - one post at a time!
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