Wokingham Borough Connect
 itsLocalWokingham Business Directory
Are you a business owner in Wokingham Borough? Sign up to our free online business directory.
Newly updated for 2022 the site now incorporates tabs for networking events and the promotion of available commercial property. An updated directory is included under the e-book tab. ItsLocal is free for customers to use and for companies to register and advertise.
The service is aimed at people who live, work or travel to Wokingham as well as the Wokingham business community itself.
 Have your say with our Business Survey 2022
It’s tough running a business, now add a pandemic to the equation. It’s safe to say now restrictions have ended there is another reason to be optimistic. We are keen to help your business and the local business economy once again prosper.
We cannot do this without you, we need your valuable opinion to help us shape the services that businesses need most so we can better support you in the foreseeable future.
How?
We have created a quick and easy survey that takes under seven minutes to complete, and it will help us capture your valuable feedback to make any changes or improvements to our future support services.
For taking the time to complete our survey, we will automatically enter you into a raffle to win one of these super prizes - a £100 Amazon voucher, a £50 Amazon voucher, or a box of donuts from a local, brand-new donut company, Unholy Donuts!
 Free guides for new energy management standards
Energy management is crucial to all organisations as it controls costs, like energy bills, and minimises greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Since September last year, the wholesale cost of energy has dramatically increased, and Ofgem has now announced it will be going up to its highest ever level on 1 April to reflect ongoing wholesale costs, meaning customers will pay more.
Making the changes necessary to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions can be particularly challenging for businesses due to a combination of fewer resources and an array of other operational pressures.
To support small and medium-sized organisations in starting their journey towards lower energy bills and emissions, The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has partnered with the British Standards Institution (BSI) and is offering 100,000 free downloads of BS ISO 50005, the new energy management standard.
This tool will help you to develop a practical, low-cost approach to energy management. Using a phased approach can enable quick wins to be achieved in reducing the energy usage of your business and to build on these successes over time.
 Employment support for residents
We're making the employment support we offer to residents more accessible through a dedicated phone and email line. We'll also have an outreach team in place that is visible in local communities.
Residents who need some help with their career can contact the employment outreach team on 0118 977 8650, Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm, or on employmentoutreach@wokingham.gov.uk
The team can support residents with a range of activities to help them find the right job for them, and help them to develop skills to feel confident applying for jobs and going to work.
They can either direct callers to a local employment support service or invite them to a face-to-face, online or phone appointment to discuss their situation further and ensure they receive the right advice and support. Appointments are taking place in Winnersh, Shinfield and Woodley.
This is initially running as a pilot programme until the end of April, so the council can understand levels of demand in the borough and how best to support residents before it considers extending further. For further information including access to food and fuel, mental health, and welfare benefits, the Local Support Hub is here on the council’s website using the button below.
 Getting to net zero by 2030
Many companies are currently making big changes and pledging to net zero by 2030.
When was the last time, if ever, you reviewed your companies travel plan? Do you know how your employees get to work? Do you have flexible time for those on public transport or traveling by bike or on foot?
Our MyJourney Wokingham can support your team in making the commute more sustainable. We are more than happy to have an informal chat with you about what changes you can make and how you can phase them in and what, if any, grants are available to you to help make the changes.
Feeling a bit smug as you are already on top of all that? Is your company signed up to Love to Ride? It's a scheme where you get points and a chance of prizes for travelling sustainably.
Our next challenge is coming soon and it’s a big one! If you want to talk about adult cycle lessons for your employees drop us an email. Contact Alison at myjourney@wokingham.gov.uk
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