Businesses across East Staffordshire are being urged to take advantage of a free advice and support service during these uncertain times of Covid-19 restrictions.
Many small and medium businesses have so far benefited from a fully-funded consultancy service with a Growth Hub Advisor, who have been tasked with helping businesses in the area overcome barriers and find new potentials during the current pandemic crisis.
Growth Hub Advisor, Klaudia Haines, has access to a range of services, initiatives and organisations that can help businesses in a variety of ways. She can provide firms with the vital connections, information and support they need to succeed and grow.
This could include support with writing business plans for start-up firms, help recruiting staff, exploring funding opportunities and accessing training and workshops in a variety of sectors.
East Staffordshire Borough Council is working in partnership with the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) Growth Hub to deliver the support to businesses across Southern Staffordshire.
Klaudia can provide information and signpost to a range of different organisations and schemes, such as linking with Keele University in accessing fully funded innovation leadership development programmes, which provide a unique offer of one-to-one sessions, peer review, activity-based learning, creative challenge-based activity and self-directed learning sessions.
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Keele University’s programme offers businesses the latest intelligence on innovation through dedicated masterclasses, demonstrating how leadership can play a role in the journey of each SME.
Birmingham City University offers a student placement programme, which enables employers to utilise graduates to support delivery of projects.
The Growth Hub support offer extends to the many workshops available now virtually through the hub and the Enterprise for Success programme, delivered by Blue Orchid; on an array of subjects from social media and marketing, to tax and bookkeeping.
As well as support programmes to grow businesses, the GSBLEP Growth Hub is here to support businesses through the impact of Covid-19, linking them to new funding opportunities such as the Pivot and Prosper grant – a scheme designed to help organisations adapt their business models as a reaction to the changing economic climate caused by Covid-19.
£1.9 million has been awarded to 52 companies across Greater Birmingham to help adapt their business models in response to the economic impact of Covid-19, leading to 149 jobs created as a result of the grant and a further 499 jobs have been safeguarded.
The Pivot and Prosper Grant Fund was launched by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) as part of the first phase of the Step Forward campaign – a series of schemes set up to help support businesses in key strategic sectors; advanced manufacturing and engineering, business, professional and financial services, creative industries, energy and low carbon, life, sciences and food and drink. Businesses have been awarded up to £40,000 match funding each.
Cllr George Allen, Deputy Leader for Regeneration, Planning Policy and Business Support said: “We have a strong relationship with the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and continue to support this really vital business support service. We see so many local businesses from across East Staffordshire asking for help to identify any support and advice they may be eligible for. This service really offers a one-stop-shop for our businesses to locate and access tailored support and advice, and in some cases funding, which is relevant to them.
“The service is free, so we are urging our local businesses to contact the Growth Hub to ensure they are accessing all the help they can.
To arrange an online appointment with a Growth Hub Advisor, or to be put in touch with one of the specialist account managers, contact: Klaudia Haines at [email protected], or call 07528 630002.
The GBSLEP Growth Hub acts as a single point of contact for business advice, funding and support for any business across East Staffordshire, either providing support directly, or referring to specialist advice through partner organisations.