Making workplaces healthier and happier, better air for better business and news of local networking opportunities

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July 2019's newsletter for businesses in Havering

Making your workplace healthier and happier

Healthy workplace 2019

The London Healthy Workplace Charter has been refreshed, and relaunched as the London Healthy Workplace Award.

This award is an accreditation scheme led by the Mayor of London's Office and supported by Public Health England. It acts as a template for good practice and recognises London employers who invest in their employee’s health and wellbeing. The scheme supports organisations of all sizes across public, private and voluntary sectors.

The new award builds on the Charter, incorporating the latest evidence and introducing new, updated criteria. These are organised under three key “pillars” of workplace health and wellbeing:

  • Corporate support for wellbeing
  • Mental health and wellbeing
  • Healthy lifestyle promotion.

Organisations meeting the criteria can apply for the three main levels of award: Foundation, Achievement and Excellence. There are also two new specialist awards for communal workspaces and micro businesses.  

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Better air, better business

Sustainable Travel logo 2019

By implementing sustainable business travel practices your business can play its part in improving Havering's air quality and reduce the impacts of travel on your financial bottom line and staff health.

There are a number of ways Havering Council's Smarter Travel Team can help your business, including cycle training, sustainable travel advice, and small grants for businesses, on application.

Email martin.day@havering.gov.uk or click for more.

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Funding opportunity

Business start-up

In May the Mayor of London announced the creation of the Greater London Investment Fund.

It has been developed specifically to target businesses which have had difficulties in securing crucial investment.

While London has a world-leading financial ecosystem, some small and medium-sized enterprises struggle to access the funding they need to grow as lenders often tend to focus on larger companies with a more established credit history.

The bulk of the money for the new fund comes from European Union sources, which the Government is yet to give any assurances about replacing post-Brexit.

One of the Mayor’s environmental priorities is helping London make the transition to the circular economy, in which Londoners and businesses keep resources in use for longer. As such, £14 million of the total fund has been ring-fenced for businesses which support this goal, of which £7 million has been invested by the London Waste and Recycling Board, the partnership between the Mayor of London and London’s councils.  

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Congratulations

John Bryson award July 2019

Samuel Sambu from Havering College - Career College for Construction was presented with a prize from housing developer L&Q as an outstanding Construction Career College learner.

Samuel was nominated by teaching staff for his dedication to improving his technical construction skills. He received his award from John Bryson, Head of Academy at L&Q when he recently visited learners at Rainham.

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TfL needs your opinion

Bus in Romford 2019

TfL needs your views on a proposed change to reroute bus route 128, so it can serve Romford Station faster and more directly.

The bus would travel between Queen's Hospital and the station via Oldchurch Road and South Street.

Share your thoughts on how it might affect you.

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Supporting your business

British Library Business workshop

The British Library runs workshops and webinars providing advice and support to businesses. Many of the events are free to join.

Topics covered in August range from protecting a business idea, to ways to write a successful business plan, to using smartphone photography for your business.

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EU Exit advice

EU business image

If you are an EU citizen living in Havering, a business that exports to the EU, or planning a holiday to an EU/EEA country later this year, you may have questions about how the UK's planned exit from the EU on 31 October could affect you.

Havering Council's website has a page of useful information and links.

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Dodge delays

ROAD CLOSURES

Help avoid any jams around Havering by signing up for our weekly Travel Update.

Sent out every Friday, it provides information on local roadworks and any planned disruption to local public transport.

Sign up

Investing in Havering

Invest in Havering logo

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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Networking in Havering

Business group

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. Here are details of just some of them:

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

BNI Eclipse meets on Tuesdays in Rainham. Meetings begin at 7.45 am prompt, and are wrapped up by about 9.30am. The venue is CEME Conference Centre, Marsh Way, Rainham, RM13 8EU. There is a £15 meeting fee to cover the room hire.

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.

CEME in Rainham has launched a networking group on the first Friday of each month. Held from 10am - midday at the CEME Launchpad centre. It's a free networking opportunity.

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 now meet on the third Thursday of every other month. 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. 

Hornchurch Rotary Club hold a free to attend monthly networking meeting at The Railway Hotel, Station Lane in Hornchurch. It's from 12.30 - 2.30pm. A 30 minute meeting is held at 12.30pm followed by a Rotary Club lunch that includes a speaker from 1pm. Call 01708 440028 for more details.

Reach and Connect Networking will be held on the first Thursday of each month. Attendance is free thanks to sponsorship from Kingston Smith.

Romford Makerspace Meetup. Are you 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 Worker Bee offices in Eastern Road, Romford.

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.

Spread your word

No idea promo spot

The next edition of Living in Havering magazine will be published during the first week of October.

To find out how cost-effective adverts in this magazine can be in reaching households across our borough email: living@havering.gov.uk.