Showcasing the borough's start-up businesses, supporting the mental health of employees, and details of great local networking opportunities.

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News for businesses in Havering. May 2018.

Showcasing our start ups

Start Up showcase May 2018

The StartUp Showcase held at the Town Hall earlier this month was a celebration of Havering’s new businesses. The Council, in partnership with Enterprise Nation, has supported over 200 start-ups since 2016 by providing nearly 3,000 hours of 1-2-1 support, workshops, webinars and "meet the buyer" events. 

Chris Hilton, Havering Council's Assistant Director of Development opened the event with praise for small businesses and the wealth they create for the borough. He said that in 2016 more than 1,800 new businesses had started up in Havering and these businesses had enjoyed well above national average survival rates.

The Showcase evening provided networking opportunities and more than a dozen of Havering’s emerging entrepreneurs were able to make their pitch to visitors. Businesses present included telephone and webchat handling company handlr, and interior design and branding outfit Brennan and Burch, who's work can be seen around Romford including in the Retailery in Market Place.

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Mental health toolkit for employers

Mental Health toolkit may 2018

Business in the Community has partnered with Public Health England to produce a free online toolkit to help every organisation support the mental health and wellbeing of employees.

It will help employers take positive actions to build a culture that champions good mental health and provides a greater understanding of how to help those who need more support. 

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Improve your digital skills

Duke of York award 2018

The Duke of York Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award, known as iDEA, gives you the chance to enhance your digital and enterprise skills.

Sign up for free and participate in a series of online educational challenges.

For every learning experience mastered, you will be awarded a digital badge and will earn points that lead to recognised awards you can add to your CV. 

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Space for your business

Worth project 2018

The second round of call for entries of the EU-funded, WORTH Partnership Project encouraging design and manufacturing across borders is now open.

Designers and manufacturers working within the sectors of furniture, textiles, footwear, accessories, jewellery and leather are encouraged to apply.

Awarded projects will receive funding (€10,000 of seed money per project), coaching, participation in international events, professional links, market upscale and access to an innovative community to kick-start their disruptive design ideas.

Several UK-based businesses were among those chosen in the initial round of applications. This call for entries closes on the 24 October.

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Being smart about travel

Cycle confident training course

There are lots of ways Havering Council's Smarter Travel Team can help your business including cycle training,  sustainable travel advice and grants for businesses – your chance to apply for a grant worth up to £3,000 to help you increase active travel (cycling and walking) at your business.

Email Martin Day for more details.

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A chance to learn

e-cigarette

Up to five places are available to employers in Havering who want to know more about the benefits and risks of e-cigarettes and the harms caused by second-hand-smoke at an information event to be held in Romford on the morning of Wednesday 20 June.

It's against the law to smoke in an enclosed space, including vehicles used for work by more than one person.  But if you want to know about what the law says about vaping, and whether or not this is better for employees’ health, then contact the Council’s public health service to request a place.

Email publichealth@havering.gov.uk with “Vaping and second-hand-smoke” in the subject box.

Got a business idea?

Romford Shopping Hall red logo

Looking to expand?

Romford Shopping Hall have shops to rent from just £150 plus VAT per week. Business rates and service charges included. Four weeks' deposit plus a week’s rent in advance. Seven day rolling contract - no long lease to commit to.

Call Michelle 01708 740492 to book a site visit.

Networking in Havering

Business networking

Networking is a proven way to build good relations with other businesses, which can lead to referrals and new business. There are a number of networking groups in Havering including those listed below.

4N networking group meets every fortnight at Liberty Bell, Mercury Gardens, Romford, RM1 3EN on Thursdays from 8 - 10am.

BNI Evolution Chapter meets each Wednesday morning at Maylands Golf Club, Colchester Road, Harold Park,  RM3 0AZ from 7 - 8.30am.

BNI Integrity chapter, meets each Thursday morning at Barking & Dagenham College, Dagenham Road, Romford, RM7 0XU from 6.30 - 9am.

Collier Row Business Network Forum holds a number of workshops, and seminars throughout the year and is a chance to network with other local Collier Row businesses. The Forum is for all businesses including sole traders and home businesses to discuss and support each other. 

ebn Upminster and Hornchurch group meets at Manor Hotel, Berwick Pond Road, Rainham, RM13 9EL from 8 - 10am on alternate Tuesdays.

Havering B-Hive meet on the fourth Thursday of the month, 10 - 11:30am, at Yates, South Street, Romford. It's a space to share experience, receive support, and get to know other business people who understand the highs, lows and challenges of running a business.

Havering Chamber of Commerce and Industry hold regular breakfast networking meetings on the second Friday of each month at Havering Museum in Romford. 

Havering Young Professionals Network aim to give the youth of Havering's businesses a platform to grow and develop long lasting relationships, in their own way. Events are held every third Thursday of the month at the Retailery in Market Place, Romford, from 5 - 7pm with a blend of traditional business networking with a youthful twist.

Reach and Connect Networking, will be held on the first Thursday of each month. Attendance is free thanks to sponsorship from Kingston Smith. The meeting on Thursday 7 June will be held at Orbital House, 20 Eastern Road Romford RM1 3PJ from 5.30 - 7.30pm.

Romford Makerspace Meetup Are you are a maker, a 3D print enthusiast, or into robotics? Do you like tinkering with electronics and technology? Then, this is the group for you. Join in a twice monthly meet-up to share ideas. 

WordPress meetups are the chance for WordPress users to get together and discuss various aspects of designing, developing and marketing WordPress websites and blogs. Meeting on the third Tuesday of every month from 6pm at The Retailery, in Romford's Market Place.

Your Business Community hold a breakfast networking event every two weeks on a Wednesday. It's held at the Liberty Bell in Romford starting at 8am. On-site parking is free. The group is an SME support organisation providing a comprehensive range of membership benefits.

Invest in Havering

Invest in Havering

If you are planning investment in Havering - or know a business that's considering this - visit our dedicated inward investment website.

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