Update: Sophia Hub Redbridge

Ros Southern writes:

'Here's some news of events and support for you or for you to pass on....

This week:

• Tuesday - 3 hour start-your business workshop at Enterprise Desk on Tuesday 20th 1-4 Info here
• Thursday - final 'enterprising redbridge' seminar for community groups - Thursday 22nd 5.30. Info here
• Friday - Sophia Hubs entrepreneurs' club, Friday 23rd 1-2.30, Enterprise Desk. Speaker - will email separately.

Next week:

• Tuesday 27th - Redbridge Chamber breakfast - topic the Chinese connection - info here
• Saturday 1st Oct - Sophia Hubs breakfast and Extraordinary General Meeting to elect our new Board and start out as an independent hub. Everyone welcome, info here
• Saturday 1st Oct - Entrepreneurs club - topic 'making your business social' 10.30 - speaker to be advised

Other news:

• We need your help in creating a Redbridge directory of social enterprises - info here.
• Start Up Britain bus comes to Redbridge on Thursday 13 October. info here
• We have been holding Timebank focus groups, led by Sam Cowan. First outcome - social media volunteer and sharing the good news stories. Info here.

Don't forget, guest blogs always welcome!

Best wishes,

Ros Southern
Coordinator, Sophia Hubs Redbridge
07707 460309'

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Martyn Joseph - Land Of Evermore.

Update: Sophia Hub Redbridge

Ros Southern writes:

Entrepreneur's club

In August there are two Wednesday morning sessions 10-12 in Mont Rose college, Cranbrook Road, Ilford. The topic for August is Freebies, Sharing Resources and finding friendly buildings. Information here.

17th August - with Vic Norman of London Pub Tours - social media and no cost marketing
31st August - speaker to be advised.

Follow up from the great Redbridge creatives meet up entrepreneur's club to follow next week :) So far we've made contact with 25 of you!

Other support for start-ups and businesses

The best first point for any business is to attend the London Small Business Centre 3 hour workshop on starting your own business. They take place monthly at Enterprise Desk. Next one is Tuesday 20 September 1-4. Details of the workshops and dates here.

See the Enterprise Desk info on the Council website for info on business support with Leonore Lord. Info here

The Timebank is a very practical platform for start-ups. We are currently running focus groups to see how we can take it to a higher level. Please do sign up and try it out. We hope to be re-integrating with the ECHO London Timebank soon. I'll be at the Enterprise Desk on Tuesday 16, 23 and 30 between 12 and 3 for any queries or help.

Support for charities and voluntary groups

Our Enterprising Redbridge project is ending its first phase. The final seminar is on Thursday 22 September 5.30-8. Great training and input. Info here.

Other great offers...

• Offer of 2 minute promotional interview-style video for £30. Contact start-up Muhammad of Marketing Scope. Info here
• Offer of free photo shoots by local mature photography student, info here
• Monthly workshops in Ilford library about open source IT to support your business or personal needs. Info here
• Free stalls for crafts and green businesses at the Ilford green pop up market, 2nd Saturday of the month. See about last one here and celebrity visit.
• Join Streetlife to get local trade. info here
• Book up for the London business show in November for free. Info here

Please Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and feel free to send in guest blog info.

Best wishes,

Ros Southern
Coordinator, Sophia Hubs Redbridge
07707 460309

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Peter Case - Ain't Gonna Worry No More.

Update: Sophia Hub Redbridge

Ros Southern writes:

Entrepreneur's club and start-up things this week:

• On Tuesday it's the start-your-business introductory workshop at Enterprise Desk 10-1 run by the London Small Business Centre. Info here
• On Thursday we have a fabulous call-out for Redbridge creatives! Our speaker is fashion designer Isatu Harrison and this is also a meet-up for creative start-ups, businesses and amateurs. 5.30 at Enterprise Desk. Info here.
• Redbridge Timebank event on Saturday - cutting edge! Its the Timebank live trading floor Saturday 16th July from 1-3pm in Ilford library. A rich, fun, unexpected Saturday afternoon. Info here. 

Business help for community groups this week:

• On Tuesday there's a crowdfunding seminar at Redbridge CVS - an important tool for raising funds with local community involvement. info here.
• Our fourth and final Enterprising Redbridge seminar on Tuesday 5.30-8pm at Welcome Centre. 'Love Your Numbers!' Info here.

Other information:

• Update on Ilford green pop up market, Repair cafe, Fauja Singh's celebrity visit and how the free stalls are going. Info here
• Information from Redbridge start up on EU funding after the Referendumclick here
• Next Chamber breakfast - summer special in Valentines Mansion Tues 26 July . Info here

We try to keep our 'Help and Support' page up to date with information.

Have a great weekend. Hope to see you next week,

Best wishes,

Ros Southern
Coordinator, Sophia Hubs Redbridge
07707 460309

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XTC - King For A Day.

Update: Sophia Hub Redbridge

Ros Southern writes:

Entrepreneurs club for start-ups and new or small businesses

We had a fab session with Asari St Hill today. Click on this link to see the top marketing strategy in the world!

On Tuesday 12th July, 12.45 at St Johns the speaker will be Mo Obadina on e-newsletters for your business/group. Info here

We are looking for speakers for last two weeks of July - any offers? The topic is customers and sales. See here for dates.

Timebank

The next Timebank skills trading is Saturday 16th July 1-3 in Ilford libary. Get help or give help. Please support this cutting edge community event! Info here.

To join the Timebank sign up here or give us a call on Monday between 12.30 and 3.30 - 07707 460309

Voluntary and community groups and charities - business help

On Wednesday 13th July, as part of our Enterprising Redbridge project, a 2 hour hands-on session to work on the business model canvas for your group/organisation. Very, very practical. 5-7pm at Welcome Centre. Info here

On Tuesday 19th July there is help all day long - crowdfunding seminar (RCVS), coaching opportunity and a final business seminar in the evening. Info here

Other help and support

Thinking of starting a business? The best thing is to join the London Small Business Centre workshop at Enterprise Desk (Ilford) on Tuesday 19 July 10-1. Info here.

Businesses and start-ups are welcome to attend the Chamber networking breakfast at Valentines Mansion on Tues 26 July, Pre-booking essential this month. info here

Enterprise Desk on 2nd floor of Redbridge Central Library - an essential!You must sign up. One to one business advice. Info here

Guest blogs / news from start-ups / Ilford green pop up market /Harrison Gibson

• Nicola Barret, mobile beautician, writes about her recovery and getting her start-up on track
• Thandi Ejindu writes about her video start-up and why you need a video
• Janet Barret reminds you about the value of joining Streetlife for business promotion
• Ilford Transition Town/Sophia Hubs invites you to a ReStart party and green pop up market in Ilford tomorrow. Info here
• Harrison Gibson development may include a start-up business hub. info here

To keep in touch and to get more news/updates, Like our Facebook page now.

Have a great weekend

Best wishes,

Ros Southern, Coordinator 07707 460309

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Victor Vertunni - A Little Boy Lost.

Update: Sophia Hub Redbridge

Ros Southern writes:

'Here's some stuff coming up in July that you really should take note of!

Our entrepreneur's club next week is on Friday 8th lunchtime with Asari St Hill a business coach - a sales masterclass. Read here for info and the booking link.

The next Hainault networking event is on Tuesday 5-7. To see info about a previous one click here.

Following week's entrepreneur's club is with Mo Obadina on e-newsletters for your business. Not got publicity yet but date is Tuesday 12 July 12.45 at St Johns Church.

For community groups, the Enterprising Redbridge project has a 2 hour hands-on session on developing your group using the business model canvas onWednesday 13 July 5-7pm. For a bit more info about the project click here. To book and register for on-line resources click here.

We had a fantastic Timebank trading floor in June and the next one is Saturday 16th July - info is here.

The next 3 hour workshop on starting a business - all you need to know - is at Enterprise Desk on 19 July 10-1. Info here

And other news...

Our volunteer blogger Janet Barrett shares two pieces of info:

• The value of joining Streetlife (easy to join online community info) for your business. Here's her blog
• The next London business show is in Olympia - info here. Excellent, wide ranging info. Best to book early

Here's some information from Redbridge Transition Town on the next green pop up market in Ilford - Saturday 9 July. We are working in partnership and working to develop green businesses and initiatives. Info here

And here's some previous blogs to remind you about:

• Thandi Ejindu is a start-up that can offer good rates on making a 5 minute promotional video. info here
• Seven Kings park is looking for someone to run a refreshments van. info here

I'm just off to Wanstead High School to meet the student's that have been studying social enterprise. Expecting a couple of blogs from them next week! :)

Have a good weekend - and maybe try out the Fairlop Fair?

Best wishes,

Ros Southern
Coordinator, Sophia Hubs Redbridge
07707 460309'

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Jonathan Richman - I'm Just Beginning To Live.

Update: Sophia Hub Redbridge

Ros Southern writes:

'Here's the news from Sophia Hubs Redbridge this week. Please come along, get involved and help to spread the word :)

SATURDAY - the fabulous Timebank skills trading event - 1pm - 3pm at Enterprise Desk, Ilford library. Information here.

TUESDAY - Entrepreneur's club is a social media working session - bring your laptops and devices. Help available. Info here.

FOLLOWING WEEK is London Tech week.

There's a fabulous programme of events in Redbridge libraries for businesses info here

And this includes our tech entrepreneur's club on Friday 24th June - beginners guide to making a business mobile phone app. Info here.

OTHER INFO...

Please pass on information to community groups about our fab Enterprising Redbridge seminars. Next one 29 June. Info here

Thandi Ejindu - You Tube personality and Redbridge start-up business blog on creating you a 5 min promotional video. Info here

Nnenna Anyanwu is doing a business survey as part of her environmental masters. Please help by taking a 3 minute survey on the circular economy.

Redbridge Chamber breakfast topic for Tuesday 28 June is the regeneration of Ilford with Jas Athwal as speaker. Book the date!

Seven Kings park is still looking for a refreshments van - a business opportunity.info here.

And here's the City Business Library seminars and business support July - September. Info here

Please send in your success stories and information you think should be shared.

Best wishes,

Ros Southern
Coordinator, Sophia Hubs Redbridge, 07707 460309'

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Peteris Vasks - Klātbūtne.

Sophia Hub Redbridge - Update

Ros Southern writes:

'Coming up this week:

• Entrepreneur's club on marketing on Tuesday at 12 noon at Enterprise Desk with Otatade Okojie.She is a start-up business and speaking is part of her marketing! She has 10 years experience and we'll do pitching practice and lots more. Take a look!. Info here, please book and pass on the word.
• Timebank trading event on Saturday 1-3 at Enterprise Desk, Ilford Library. A fabulous, unexpected, communty and business building opportunity. Info here, please book and pass on the word.

Other great initiatives and opportunities...

• For any community group, big or small, join up to the Enterprising Redbridge support. Next business seminar is Weds 19 June at 5.30. Info here
• Myra Whiskar is offering coaching for start-ups - we think we've found her two candidates but there may be room for one more. Info here
• The next 3 hour free intro to starting your own business workshop with London Small business centre is 19 July. Book here
• City Business Library fantastic seminars are continuing daily (weekdays) as usual – cheap or free.Info here
• Its tech week coming up and our entrepreneur's club is teeming up with Enterprise Desk for a tech –build your first business phone app on Friday 24 June 6pm. Some booking info here, more to follow
• Seven Kings park is looking for a refreshments van - business opportunity! info here

Best wishes,

Ros Southern
Coordinator, Sophia Hubs Redbridge
W: www.sophiahubs7k.wordpress.com 

M: 07707 460309 / 020 8590 2568 (answerphone)
T: @sophiahubs7k F: Sophia Hubs Seven Kings'

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The Style Council - Headstart For Happiness.

Update: Sophia Hub Redbridge

Ros Southern writes:

"Here's the must-read-and-take-note-news-on-all-things-startup-business-and-community!

Entrepreneur's club this week is Tuesday lunchtime at St Johns with Oddie the female painter/decorator/odd job woman on using your inter personal skills to get your customers .info here - please book in before hand.

Redbridge CVS is calling on community groups to join a collaborative bid for EU funding - deadline is Monday 6th June - midday. info here

ECHO Timebank businesses can showcase your work at Chatsworth market! Info here

Nominate a Redbridge business for the FSA business awards. You can nominate yourself! info here

Two new ventures.....

A new green business upcycling bike parts - info here. It launched at the Redbridge Green Fair.

Sarah Kigosi launches a Redbridge Ugandan Charity - info here (she was part of a recent Sophia course :))

Dont forget....

The regular fabulous seminars at City Business Library info here

And Myra Whiskar's offer of coaching for a couple of Sophia Hubs start-ups.info here

News next week on the Enterprising Redbridge project to support community groups with business skills but please do register here to be part of this

Have a great weekend,

Hope you like the photo of me as Event Manager having a bit of fun at the Redbridge Green Fair on Sunday!

Ros Southern
Coordinator, Sophia Hubs
07707 460309 / www.sophiahubs7k.wordpress.com"

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Ryley Walker - 4th Time Around.

Update: Sophia Hub Redbridge

Ros Southern writes ...

"Here's some news and info....

• Enterpreneur's club this week on Thursday at 5.30 is with Nnenna Anyanwu on cash flow. It will involve a business game to actually test out your decisions! Fun with very practical learning. For start-ups but also of value to established businesses. Info here - please share!
• Tomorrow (Saturday) there's an event in South Woodford libary about publishing a book. Info here

Next weekend....

• The Timebank is running a fantastic range of mini workshops at the Redbridge Green Fair - loads of start-ups. Please read and share this blog.

Week after next....

• The 2nd business seminar for Redbridge charities and community groups is at Ilford Sports Club on Tuesday 31 May 6pm. A fantastic project run by Sophia Hubs and Redbridge CVS. Please read and share!
• The Chamber invites you to a Vic Norman London pub tour on 2nd June. Info here.

A great offer from Myra Whiskar to Sophia Hubs - coaching support from my predecessor the first Sophia Hubs coordinator. Info here

I really do want more GUEST BLOGS - please do send them to me. Or any other local business or community info that others should know.

Have a good weekend!

Ros Southern
Coordinator, Sophia Hubs Redbridge / 07707 460309"

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Belle & Sebastian - I Want The World To Stop.

Update: Sophia Hub Redbridge

Ros Southern writes:

"Coming up!!

• Tomorrow, Saturday we have the fabulous Timebank 'social market place' and live trading floor. 2-4 in Ilford Library. Please do give it a try and be cutting edge! Info here.
• Monday morning is the Seven Kings business/community partnership drop in. Stalls still available! Info here
• Tuesday lunchtime the entrepreneur's club is at noon in Ilford Library with Aidan Ward on running your start-up with the business canvas model. A great session, come along and do some creative and practical thinking and planning. :) info here
• Tuesday, early, 7.30 am is the Chamber networking breakfast with speaker Jo Sealey on marketing. Info here. Guests welcome.
• Next Saturday, 29th there's a Sophia course graduates day for follow on support. If you're one of the 55 people, info here!

What's been happening this week ...

• A great business seminar on business canvases for community groups last night, the first of the Enterprising Redbridge scheme. Blog to follow next week!
• Two blogging volunteers have written their first blogs - thanks to Janet and Amanda. Amanda's advice to sign up to the business show and Janet on a B2B business networking event at West Ham this week. Look out for more blogs from these two in coming weeks! More volunteer bloggers welcome And guest bloggers! :)
• A great meeting with Leonore Lord, business adviser at Enterprise Desk, who will be writing a guest blog and introduction next week!

Stalls and promotion opportunities

• The Seven Kings business/community partnership has free stalls for start-ups, businesses and community groups. Monday mornings. Info here
• For green/environmental/craft businesses, free stalls at the Ilford pop up green market on 2nd Saturday. info here
• The Redbridge Green fair is recruiting for stalls and organisations. There's a mini Sophia hubs course workshop on Wednesday afternoons to help you plan something participatory and engaging.

Other great stuff

• Sign up to the business show - read Amanda's advice
• Check out the City business library ongoing programme

Have a great weekend and hope to see many of you tomorrow at the Timebank event.

Best wishes,

Ros Southern, Coordinator, Sophia Hubs Redbridge"

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Pete Seeger - If I Had A Hammer.

Sophia Hub Redbridge: Update

Ros Southern writes:

'This coming week:

• MONDAY EVE: Wanstead Business Networking event - free, well attended, worth a try. Info here.
• ​​​​​​​TUESDAY BREAKFAST - Redbridge Chamber networking info here
• TUESDAY LUNCHTIME: Entrepreneur's club with Amanda Simpson on managing your incomings and outgoings in an easy way without getting in a pickle. Lunch time session - open to all start-ups, SMEs and community groups. Info here
• THURSDAY EVE: Enterprising Redbridge business seminar on the business canvas model for community groups and charities. Info here.
• SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Timebank trading floor/social market place at Ilford library. Exciting, cutting edge, useful, fun! 

Other fab info:

• Following weeks entrepreneur's club - with Aidan Ward - Tuesday lunchtime on managing your start-up with the business canvas model. Back by popular demand. Info here
• A new business/community partnership in Redbridge - Redbridge Green Fair and Mont Rose College, Info here
• Seven Kings business and community partnership - soft launch of the website, info here
• Learn to blog volunteer opportunity - at Sophia Hubs - we've got 2 volunteers practically booked but room for more! info here
• Follow up course for Sophia course graduates - Saturday 30th April - info here
• City Business Library fab seminars - these are ongoing - info here.
• Feedback on the Redbridge CVS launch of Enterprising Redbridge - see the pics and report here.

Thanks to

Our entrepreneur's club speaker last week Shahriar Hossain for a passionate and practical session on identifying and taking a next step, no messing! Follow up support offered and an expectation to have kept to the agreed actions!

Congratulations to

Hainault Start up Liam Martin-Lane for the well attended and great Google For Work seminar at Enterprising Redbridge this week.

What you can do

• Like our Facebook Page and share posts. 
• Get more people to sign up for this newsletter. 
• Send me news on business and community stuff.
• Write a blog about your start-up, or any business news with a community twist.

Have a great weekend!

Best wishes,

Ros Southern, Coordinator, Sophia Hubs Redbridge'

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Mavis Staples - Hard Times Come Again No More.

Update: Sophia Hub Redbridge

Ros Southern writes:

"Upcoming events this week...

Hainault business networking event is on Tuesday 5th, 5pm-7pm. Specially for Hainault businesses but open to anyone, info here

Enterprising Redbridge launches on Wednesday 6th - 1pm at Redbridge CVS (come early for sarnies). Open to anyone involved in a community group, initative, faith group, charity that wants 9 months help with business skills. Info here

Pizza making on Wednesday 6th - pizza making @ Firezza with ECHO Timebank info here

Redbridge Entrepreneur's club on Thursday 7th 5.30 at Enterprise Desk with Shahriar Hossain - fast track to success. info here

Something new, different, exciting, risky in Ilford library - the first new style skills trading floor takes place on Saturday 23rd April. Read about the Timebank event here

Something new, different, exciting, risk at Sophia Hubs - new volunteer role - learn how to blog! Info here

Stalls opportunities for starts ups - Free stalls on offer at the fortnightly Seven Kings Business/Community Partnership drop-ins on Mondays. info here

Stalls opportunities for green businesses - the Ilford Green Pop Up market is fully booked for Saturday 9th April, but give us your name, book in for the next one and give us reason to expand! Click here for info

Guest blogs re other events for you to join:

• Liam Martin-Lane , Hainault start-up tells you why Google is gr-eat for business and invites you to his Google For Work seminar at Enterprise Desk
• Karen Leighton, Newbury Park business woman, says why you should try out the Athena womens networking event in South Woodford

For helpful info about working from home if you are a tenant, click here

For Sophia course graduates - a special follow-on course Saturday 30 April, info here

Have a great weekend!

Ros Southern
Coordinator, Sophia Hubs Redbridge
E: ros.southern@sophiahubs.com M 07707 460309 / 0208 590 2568 (answer phone)
T: @sophiahubs7k F: Sophia Hubs Seven Kings (please follow us and Like us!)"

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The Staple Singers - I'll Take You There.

Sophia Hub Redbridge: latest achievements

A corporate grant award from the London Borough of Redbridge enabled Sophia Hubs Limited to gain an additional £20,000.00 for Sophia Hub Redbridge through successful applications to the Diocese of Chelmsford Mission Opportunities Fund and Awards for All.

As a result, Sophia Hub Redbridge has delivered its core services of Timebank (including community skills swap events), Entrepreneur’s Club (weekly) and Sophia Courses on an expanded basis through new partnerships with Enterprise Desk, Forest Farm Peace Garden, Redbridge Chamber of Commerce, Redbridge Institute, Seven Kings Business Partnership and at locations serving South Ilford, Goodmayes and Hainault, as well as Seven Kings. In addition Sophia Hub Redbridge has developed the following new initiatives in the borough:

• developed the Enterprising Redbridge project in partnership with Redbridge CVS to build entrepreneurial skills in Redbridge’s Third Sector;
• Enterprising Redbridge website (including an online survey) has gone live at http://redbridge.enterprisingcommunities.co/;
• identified and contacted 13 green businesses leading to the creation of an online directory at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BHM6f5mPUxd28ojGSPEWedxEa-06uZU_nlsB3A7JtXU/edit?pli=1#gid=0;
• organised a first Green Pop-Up market. Now a monthly initiative in partnership with Transition Town Ilford and Ilford Recycles;
• support for Seven Kings pop-up market (Seven Kings Business Partnership) and Wanstead pop-up shop (Wanstead Arts Trail);
• held an inter-generational community skills swap event involving NCS students;
• held a Timebank marketplace and trading floor event at the Enterprise Desk in February with agreement reached for further events in April and July;
• development of a business buddy scheme;
• ran the first Sophia Course for Redbridge Institute students. Further courses will follow;
• held two joint entrepreneur’s clubs with Redbridge College business students;
• organised two business networking events in Hainault. These events will be monthly in future;
• contributed to the boards of Redbridge Chamber of Commerce and Seven Kings Business Partnership increasing the scope and reputation of our work;
• held a health farm day at the Marjorie Collins Centre and provided support for weekly chair yoga sessions; and
• youtube videos prepared and posted publicising Timebank and Sophia Hub Redbridge.

We also enabled the contribution of 1,338 volunteer hours during 2015 and the exchange of 358 hours through the Timebank from April 2015 to March 2016.

Click here to see our 2014/2015 achievements and here to see our 2013/2014 achievements.

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Curtis Mayfield - A New World Order.

Enterprising Redbridge

Enterprising Redbridge will be launched on Wednesday 6th April at the Redbridge CVS networking event. This is a significant opportunity for the voluntary and community sector in Redbridge to get support to become more entrepreneurial. The first seminar open to all community groups that sign up, is on Thursday 21st April 6-8pm. For more info click on this blog and to sign up click here.

Ross Diamond of RCVS writes:

• Are you a voluntary sector leader in Redbridge?
• Wanting to make your organisation more sustainable?
• Want to explore new ideas and new ways of working?
• Want to find a positive critical friend to support you in making changes?
• Why not get involved in a project that aims to help organisations to become sustainable through being entrepreneurial?

In the current climate a significant reduction in the availability of grants, particularly from public sector sources, has resulted in some voluntary sector groups closing – leaving a void in local service provision. We believe some of this can be avoided. In order to help local groups move to a more sustainable future, we are offering a programme of seminars, networking opportunities and one-to-one advice on becoming more independently sustainable. We believe this package of support can provide the positive encouragement such groups need.

We know that solutions are not always obvious, as you tend to be (rightly) totally focused on your day-to-day operations.  So this programme gives you the opportunity to think beyond the day to day, the space to consider difficult questions in a safe place, and the chance to say the unsayable. We want this programme to inspire you, challenge you, support you and affirm the work you are doing.

Our goal is to inform and inspire 450+ local voluntary organisations to become more entrepreneurial through the provision of information and online tools. That’s a big ask. But it will depend on you. Your willingness to engage. Your desire to continue change.

For those most committed to trying new ideas or introducing change to their organisation, we will provide intensive tailored support to 10 groups not only to survive into the future but go on to thrive with greater independence.

Interested? Fill out the simple registration form.

This is a project that Sophia Hubs is partnering with RCVS. To read our blog about it click here.

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Deacon Blue - Win.

Enterprising Redbridge: making voluntary organisations more entrepreneurial

Welcome to Enterprising Redbridge … making voluntary organisations more entrepreneurial

In the current climate a significant reduction in the availability of grants, particularly from public sector sources, has resulted in some voluntary sector groups closing – leaving a void in local service provision. We believe some of this can be avoided.

In order to help local groups move to a more sustainable future, we are offering a
programme of seminars, networking opportunities and one-to-one advice on becoming more independently sustainable. We believe this package of support can provide the positive encouragement such groups need.

We know that solutions are not always obvious, as you tend to be (rightly) totally focused on your day-to-day operations. So this programme gives you the opportunity to think beyond the day to day, the space to consider difficult questions in a safe place, and thechance to say the unsayable. We want this programme to inspire you, challenge you, support you and affirm the work you are doing.

Our goal is to inform and inspire 450+ Redbridge voluntary organisations to become more entrepreneurial through the provision of information and online tools. That’s a big ask. But it will depend on you. Your willingness to engage. Your desire to continue change.

For those most committed to trying new ideas or introducing change to their organisation, we will provide intensive tailored support to 10 groups not only to survive into the future but go on to thrive with greater independence.

Sophia Hubs and Redbridge CVS obtained Big Lottery funding to commission Aspiren andUrban Catalysts to take the lead on this project. Take a look at the website for more information and register your interest now. www.enterprisingredbridge.org.uk.

This is an initiative that aims to bring business skills to the voluntary and community sector. We hope that this will make a significant contribution to Redbridge by enabling the sector to learn ways to become less dependent on funding and more resilient.

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Peter Case - Until The Next Time.