Weekly newsletter for North Worcestershire businesses

New resources to help you out of lockdown

Watch videos and register for the latest free Government webinars to learn more about the support available to help businesses deal with the economic impacts of Coronavirus.  Resources include a new YouTube video about the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate scheme. Find out more.

Looking to boost your workforce?

At a time where businesses are looking for alternative ways to fill their employment gaps, the Kickstart Scheme will give businesses access to work-ready young employees and will allow local businesses to help grow and develop talent, in a similar way to the Apprenticeship scheme.

To help gain a further understanding of the scheme, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has launched a free supporting webinar which will cover, how the scheme works, what funding is available, how to apply and answer any questions you may have. Click here to book your place.

Mental Health in the Workplace - is it “Time to Change” our perspective?

Free webinar - Tuesday 22 June 2021 - 12.00-1.00pm
This thought-provoking and informative webinar, brought to you by Time to Change Worcestershire and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, explains the Time to Change program in Worcestershire and how it has made a difference to local organisations in supporting employees and ending stigma around mental health. Click here to book now.

Get practical support from other local business leaders

Paul Griffiths of the training provider Aspire Sports in Birmingham has taken part in a recent peer support programme.  Paul said, "Peer Networks helped me take time out from the day-to-day running of our business and focus on my leadership skills and capabilities. My peer group had a good mix of knowledge and experience from a variety of sectors which became a trusted source of advice."

Launched at the end of 2020, Peer Networks is a national peer-to-peer networking programme for SME leaders that want to grow their business. The programme is fully funded by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy – so there is no cost to businesses – and delivered locally by Growth Hubs.

The pilot of Peer Networks was a great success and Growth Hubs across the West Midlands are now recruiting businesses to benefit from the programme’s second round.

Find out more.

Calling all food, drink and hospitality businesses

Are you a Worcestershire food or drink producer, retailer or hospitality business?  You’ll no doubt be busy working on your Covid recovery plan and finding ways to get your product or service out there.  Now is the time to get involved in our ‘Make it’ campaign championed by One Worcestershire and partners. It costs nothing to take part and there are loads of opportunities to connect with your customers, meet similar businesses across the county and share marketing and social media tools produced exclusively for this campaign which starts NOW!  Find out more and sign up to Worcestershire 1000 to be part of the Make it in Worcestershire campaign.

Fully funded digital tech support

Malvern based tech company borwell is working with Worcestershire County Council to provide up to 5 days fully funded technology consultancy. This includes:

• Choosing cloud-based platforms to support your business
• Start your Digital Transformation process
• Reduce the risk of Cyber-attacks
• Improve customer engagement
• Technology for remote working

Find out more about this and a range of business support options

Looking for Higher level skills support in your business?

The Higher Level Skills Match (HLSM), part-funded by the European Social Fund, is an account managed recruitment and skills development programme designed to offer you a tailored and personal service to address your business needs. The dedicated team will support and promote your business growth by providing access to Student and Graduate talent from three local partner universities; Birmingham City University, Aston University and Newman University.

To find out how we can help grow and up-skill your business click here.

Staying Connected

The NWedR team delivers support and services to businesses across North Worcestershire. Email us on info@nwedr.org.uk Call us on 0845 6015953 or visit our NWedR website to read our news and sign up for our weekly newsletters for North Worcestershire businesses. Connect with your local council on social media Bromsgrove DC Twitter, Facebook, Redditch BC Twitter, Facebook, Wyre Forest DC Twitter, Facebook. NWedR social connections are shown at the top of this page.

For regional Worcestershire business advice, grants and support go to Worcestershire Business Central or The Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP Growth Hub. In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, a full range of business support is available to UK businesses and employees.  See the latest updates from Government. The business support helpline is 0300 456 3565 - available Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm.

Have you had your jab?

Anyone who is eligible can book their coronavirus vaccination appointments online or by telephoning 119 or simply wait for your invite from your GP.  (You can use the same link to check the up to date eligibility criteria.)

If you are called for a vaccine, please take up the offer. Vaccines are safe and are our way out of lockdown. 1 in 3 people with Covid have no symptoms and are unaware they could be spreading the virus. This is why Public Health in Worcestershire is recommending anyone who has to regularly leave their home, gets tested twice a week using a regular rapid test (lateral flow test -LFT). Find out how to get a regular rapid test on our website www.worcestershire.gov.uk/communitytesting