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 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.

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.

Update: Sophia Hub Redbridge

Ros Southern writes:

'Hi there, a bit late this week but here's the news of interest for start-ups, businesses, local economy and Redbridge community life in the coming week or two :)

Tomorrow (Monday 7th) is the Timebank skills swap 12-3 in Seven Kings. A great opportunity to learn skills and gain experience - see the final offers and info here.

On Tuesday (8th) our weekly entrepreneur's club is a 12.45 start with Nicola of FP Comms on planning your marketing calendar for 2016. Info here

The Chamber Christmas dinner is Tues 15th December - you are welcome. Last chance to book is Tuesday 8th at midnight Info here

The first Redbridge breakfast 'white paper' will be an inspiring discussion on understanding and utilising the alternative economy in Redbridge. Weds 16 December. Info here

Saturday was national small business day. Enterprise For London wrote a blog about supporting Redbridge High Streets (they offer great support for small businesses) and you can read mine about markets, Creeds, Vic Norman and more.

The business networking for dummies event this week was great. Info and video here

We had a well attended and useful first green business meeting of Redbridge upcyclers and here's a guest blog from fashion upcycler Annemarie.

Finally, here's an update from Ola at Redbridge CVS on funding available to social enterprises.

Hope to see many of you on Tuesday.

Best wishes,

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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Peter Case - HWY 62.