Freedom Fibre is currently rolling out its lightning-fast, full-fibre network to homes and businesses across North Shropshire.

Freedom Fibre is keen to use local businesses and suppliers as much as possible throughout the build. We are currently searching for:

• Mole-ploughing and trenchless digging services
• Draining services with jetting and gully-suck services (roadside/commercial capability)
• Arboricultural Association utility-approved contractors/tree surgeons or equivalent
• Traffic management services (must have Lantra M5 minimum and internal CAD capability)
• Local plant hire
• Lightweight 4x4 MEWP hire
• Groundworks and infrastructure civils companies   

Interested businesses are invited to contact Alison Johnson (Procurement Manager) via alison.johnson@freedomfibre.com before the deadline of 21^st February.

Residents interested in connecting to Freedom Fibre's full-fibre broadband network can register their interest at www.freedomfibre.com/connect and the team will let you know if the network is available now or coming soon to your location. 

HSE’s Working Minds campaign is driving change across Britain's workplaces by helping to raise awareness of how employers can prevent stress and support good mental health.

When you sign up to our Working Minds campaign ebulletin, you can access a calendar of awareness days, weeks and months for 2024, along with creative resources for you to use and share with your networks and channels.

Sign up to the Working Minds ebulletin

Other Working Minds resources and information that you can access on our campaign website include:

• free online learning
• a guest blog from CIPD about the pillars that support a mentally healthy workplace

resources to help prevent workplace stress (.pdf)

Working Minds - Work Right to keep Britain safe

John Williams, The Institute of Leadership’s CEO, will be sharing what he’s learnt along the way at this year’s Leadership Conference in Shrewsbury.

John Williams is a problem solver and strategist who brings with him experience from a career in international business and leadership development across the UK, Europe, Middle East, Far East and North America.

The Leadership Conference, organised by Shropshire Council’s Shropshire HR, will be held at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury on Tuesday 16 April 2024.

John Williams - The Institute of Leadership’s CEO - to speak at Leadership Conference 2024  - Shropshire Council Newsroom

Employers across Shropshire are being invited to a networking lunch aimed at supporting them to find out more about how supported internships can support their businesses.

The event, hosted by Shropshire Council, is on Thursday 22 February 2024 at midday-2pm at the Council Chamber, Shirehall, Shrewsbury.

The Supported Internship programme is a Department for Education-funded project that helps young people aged 16-24 with an Education and Health Care Plan to access a one academic year work-based learning opportunity.

Interns spend at least 70% of their time at an employer base and 30% at college, similar to an apprenticeship but unpaid, and with the support of a job coach who can provide systematic job training. The programme aims to help interns develop the skills and confidence they need to secure paid employment in the future.

Employers invited to event to support young people with disabilities into work - Shropshire Council Newsroom

Join the Inclusion Network in Shropshire - exploring Neurodiversity and Entrepreneurship in a rural market town.

With three fantastic leaders from local organisations, we will explore this topic in a 'walk and talk' style, including a coached masterclass.

We are excited to announced we will be hosted at Oswestry Memorial Hall, with Paul Newman, founder of Be a Better Fish and director of OsNosh CIC, Jo Hazell-Watkins co-founder of The Soma Space and Ben Wilson, founder of OsNosh CIC.

Inclusion Network Shropshire - Supporting Rural Community Entrepreneurship Tickets, Tue 27 Feb 2024 at 09:00 | Eventbrite

Crowdfund Shropshire, the new civic fundraising platform where community groups can get their projects funded by public and grant funding, is opening in the next month. Come along to a workshop on the 20th of February to find out about how your project could benefit, how it works and top tips for your campaign. 

For the next round of funding, projects can bid for up to can pitch for up to £10,000 from the Shared Prosperity Community Fund (in partnership with Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership) and up to £20,000 from the Green Spaces and Active Travel Fund (in partnership with Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire Wildlife Trust).

There are currently five projects crowdfunding at the moment. They include Rural Art Hub, Walking in Wem, Multicultural Children's Day, Little Stars in the Community and Get Crafty With Words. Check out their projects here for inspiration and donate or spread the word to help them reach their goal!

Shropshire employers, book your place at our Supported Internship Employer Interest event and find out how you can help young people with disabilities into work.

✅ Meet and talk to employers who are currently involved, and interns themselves

✅ Network with other local businesses and organisations

✅ Ask any questions you may have and share your feedback

✅ Find out how Access to Work funding can support employers and staff For more information and to book your place, go to https://orlo.uk/AgwW8