Sedgemoor Biz Newsletter – March 2023

07/03/2023

Your local government is changing but our commitment to growing our economy is not.

As of 1st April 2023, Somerset’s District Councils and the County Council will cease to exist and a new authority – Somerset Council will be formed.

Somerset Council will build on the strong foundations developed by the five current Councils taking the very best from each to deliver improved services to its customers. Since the announcement of the new authority, all five Councils have been working very hard behind the scenes over the past 12 months ready for launch on the 1st April.

The way you contact us might be different, but the new County wide Economic Development Team will consist of the same dedicated staff with years of on-the-ground knowledge and expertise that can now be applied across the whole county. The newly merged team has significant experience and skills applicable to every element of Economic Development and across a wide range of sectors that make up the Somerset Economy. By collaborating and bringing the shared expertise together it will enable us to provide the best possible service to our businesses.

Our aim is to support Somerset businesses to grow and thrive, creating job opportunities for our residents to better their lives and to save and improve our natural environment.

Post 1st April the Somerset Council Economic Development Team will contact you through a new county wide integrated newsletter providing contact details and new information on how the team will be working to support you.

DonateIT- Unwanted Tech?

Donate IT have teamed up with many local heroes to help deliver much needed IT to families who need it. The wonderful people in Somerset and surrounding areas are pulling resources and donating what they can to the program. They then refurbish the equipment ready for distribution.

Find Out More

Upcoming Spring Webinars:

A series of free online webinars (with Q&A’s) and 1-2-1 advice sessions led by specialist business consultants are being offered and funded by the five Somerset councils this year, to help aid business resilience in Somerset during this cost-of-living crisis. This support will help your business develop the skills it needs to survive in challenging economic circumstances and take advantage of new opportunities ahead.

Details of the three FREE workshops and 1-2-1’s can be found below. Sign up now to gain your place.

Finding, recruiting & retaining top talent

Weds 15 March 2023 – 09:00 -11:30

Karen Watkins

Discover practical advice and tools to ensure your business attracts and engages the right people that will help grow your business. The session is mainly aimed at SME owners and HR professionals struggling to recruit or retain staff.

Book Here

How to use Marketing in an economic downturn

Thursday 30th March 1000 – 1200

Steph Baker and Kirsten Rae

How to define your offering, finding the right audience, why branding is important and how to use it your advantage, assessing marketing strategies and how to formulate this all into a plan.

Book Here

Somerset Innovation

Firms in Somerset can receive free, specialist business support by joining the Somerset Innovation Network. Once signed up to this FREE programme, your business will benefit from:

A 1-2-1 diagnostic with an innovation specialist to create an actionable plan for your business
Specialist advice from expert business advisors
Online and in-person informative workshops on a variety of relevant topics including: 8th March (Online) Pricing for Profit and 21st March (Online) How to create a winning business pitch

Find Out More

Accelerating Women’s Enterprise

Fully funded courses for women in Somerset and the surrounding areas to start and grow a business that makes a difference

Deadline Reminder- 8th March

Great news for women and people who identify as women – you could develop the essential business skills to run a social enterprise on a free online course, starting in March 2023!

The Sofa Sessions and Nuts & Bolts courses from the School for Social Entrepreneurs cover idea development, brand and marketing, finance and risk, and personal effectiveness. Part of the Accelerating Women’s Enterprise programme (AWE), it provides practical learning in a welcoming group context. No text books in sight, no qualifications required.

Priority places are available for people with less privilege or perceived as disabled, from low-income backgrounds or racialised and minoritised communities – and for people and organisations supporting these groups.

AWE is supported by the Interreg France (Channel) England Programme and Somerset County Council, and is co-created and delivered by YTKO, The School for Social Entrepreneurs and SSE Hampshire.

Apply Here

The Somerset Supported Employment Summit is an opportunity to learn more about Supported Employment and the benefits of offering supported employment programmes for employers.

It is also a chance to discuss how can we raise the aspirations of young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and their parents and get them ready to take these employment opportunities.

During the summit, you will hear from young people and employers who are already on their supported employment journeys and the professional teams who are there to guide them along the way.

Refreshments will be provided, including a cold buffet lunch, and there will be opportunities to network and talk with other attendees.

The Summit will take place 19th April at 9am

Book Here

Sedgemoor District Council Supporting Businesses

Visit our support pages dedicated to providing latest business information and advice

Find Out More

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