Networking helps to beat small business blues

A networking event [1] was held at F.B Parrish and Sons, Chicksands, on Monday 16 November in partnership with Exemplas Ltd. to help small rural businesses identify and take advantage of business support opportunities. Businesses attending the event were given key information on accessing finance through the Greensand Ridge Rural Development Programme [2], a £2.4 million investment fund targeting rural businesses, including farmers, growers and community enterprises, located in the Greensand Ridge area of the county.

A similar event will be held on 18 January 2010 which will see the launch of an investment prospectus to help rural businesses in the Greensand Ridge area to access funding to develop visitor accommodation.

For more information about this event and the Greensand Ridge Rural Development Programme contact Caron Kendall on 01767 626465 or email her at: caronk@bedsrcc.org.uk

[1] The event was funded through the Central Bedfordshire Enterprise Support Project (a partnership led by business support specialist Exemplas Ltd together with The Prince’s Trust and Wenta) and is delivered under the Economic Participation programme for Central Bedfordshire Council and funded from EEDA.
[2] Funding for this programme comes from the European Union and Defra, via the East of England Development Agency (EEDA).

BRCC has received some funding via Bedford Borough Council to pilot a Village Agents initiative in the Borough. For an initial period between January and March, we will have part-time staff working locally in four or five parishes to support the most vulnerable people in the community, and signpost them to appropriate services.

If you are interested in finding out more about this initiative, please contact Justine Hunt on 01234 832648, or email her at: justineh@bedsrcc.org.uk

BRCC is offering FREE learning taster sessions and workshops for adults living in rural areas of Bedford Borough who may be interested in returning to learning or employment. These courses are being run as part of the ‘Skills for working and living in Bedford Borough’ project, managed by the Learning Partnership on behalf of Bedford Borough Council.

Sessions available are: Health and Safety awareness, First Aid Awareness, Food safety for catering, Writing CV’s and covering letters, Job interview skills.

If you think the courses may be of interest to you, please contact David Maxwell on 01767 626 466 or email him at: training@brcc.org.uk

(Places are limited and always popular, so early booking is recommended. You will be asked to complete a short training needs questionnaire with one of our advisors before starting the course to assess your eligibility.)

Migration Impacts Fund

BRCC is creating a welcome pack for migrant workers coming to Bedfordshire, as part of a Learning Partnership project funded by the Migration Impacts Fund. This will provide basic information about living in the UK and will signpost to local services and support organisations.

If you would like to know more, please contact Jon Boswell by email on: jonb@bedsrcc.org.uk

During the next few months we will be offering one-to-one advice and support to voluntary organisations throughout Bedfordshire on how to access relevant and cost effective training. This will include:

• A free review of your organisation's learning and skills needs
• Help to pinpoint the right training provider
• Support to access funding and grants

This initiative is being delivered in partnership with Voluntary and Community Action (VCA), Community and Voluntary Service (CVS) and Voluntary Action Luton (VAL). Voluntary and Community Action are running two short Learning & Skills briefings to introduce this initiative, on 22 January 2010 (Ampthill) and 26 January 2010 (Luton). You can download further information here, or a booking form here. If you would like more information about this support service or to arrange a meeting, contact Imran Ali on 01234 832619 or email him at: imrana@bedsrcc.org.uk

The Voluntaryworks consortium (of which BRCC is a member) is running a Conference for voluntary and community sector organisations across Bedfordshire on Wednesday 3 March 2010 at the Rufus Centre, Flitwick.