Businesses in North Northamptonshire get additional support

SME owners in North Northamptonshire whose businesses have been affected by Covid-19 currently have access to in-depth business support, funded by the Government’s ARG scheme and delivered by SEMLEP’s Growth Hub.

Businesses who join the programme will receive an invitation to apply for a grant of up to £3,000, and three in-depth sessions with a SEMLEP’s Growth Hub business adviser.

Visit the website for more information.

Northamptonshire’s first ever Global Goals Symposium

Northamptonshire Community Foundation will be convening Northamptonshire’s first ever Global Goals Symposium in partnership with the University of Northampton. This is a call to action across all sectors to work in partnership to help tackle and work towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) at the local level across the county.

Northamptonshire Community Foundation has been leading on tackling the global goals through its philanthropic and grant making activity including a series of community conversations with the local charitable sector across 2020 and 2021. In partnership with the University of Northampton, they aim to kickstart a cross-sector collaboration to help meet the global goals here in Northamptonshire.

CEO Victoria Miles stated: “The key and urgent aim is to work together to provide local solutions to some of the most urgent issues of our time and in doing so build strong partnerships and find creative approaches and resources to tackle poverty, eradicate hunger, promote good health and wellbeing, address climate action, provide quality education, reduce inequalities and build sustainable cities and communities as an example of some of the goals we will work towards. We think the best way to do this effectively and utilise good practice is to create an alliance. We can build a better world for current and future generations here on our doorstep.”

Guest speakers will include:

  • Lindsay Wake and Jill Arnold – Social Investment Scotland – investing for the global goals
  • Allan MacLeod – Bristol SDG Alliance – global goals partnership for Bristol city
  • Dr Jonathan Campion FRCPsych – Director for Public Mental Health South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust ; Chair of Public Mental Health Working Group World Psychiatric Association Clinical and Strategic Director of Public Mental Health Implementation Centre Royal College of Psychiatrists – public mental health and universal coverage by 2030.

Date: Thursday 11 November Time: 2pm – 4pm via Zoom.

Book your place now via the Community Foundation’s Eventbrite page to avoid disappointment. Registration closes at 5pm on Wednesday 10 November.

For further information regarding the event, please contact Rachel Cooke at rachelcooke@ncf.uk.com

Recovery and Resilience Grants reopening for Expressions of Interest

The Recovery and Resilience Grant scheme is reopening for Expressions of Interest from 10 am, 4th October – 10 am, 18th October.

The Recovery and Resilience Grant scheme offers match funding to businesses to invest in new technologies, plant equipment, or machinery to help businesses create employment opportunities.

The minimum grant amount that can applied for is £5000, and the maximum grant available is £50,000. The grants are designed to build resilience for businesses that have been affected by Covid-19 by supporting investment projects that will create a significant, positive impact on the business’s future.

Find out more at the SEMLEP Growth Hub website.

Northants charity celebrates 20 years

Leading grant-making charity Northamptonshire Community Foundation is celebrating its 20th birthday.

Over the last two decades, NCF have supported some of the most vulnerable communities in Northamptonshire by linking those in need with those who can give.

Northamptonshire Community Foundation is proud to have delivered vital support to local communities, distributing nearly £17 million to over 4,000 projects, charities and community organisations across Northamptonshire in that time.

This wouldn’t have been possible without the tremendous support of a wide network of donors and fund holders who work closely with the Foundation to ensure their time and donations make a sustainable impact on local needs.

Watch their new video below to see the impact that 20 years of support can make.

 

Local charity launches social enterprise fund

Northamptonshire Community Foundation has launched a new fund to support social enterprise initiatives that will help with the economic recovery from the pandemic.

Social enterprises based in the county can apply for up to £5,000 to help support decent work and economic growth within local communities.

The activities must benefit local residents, especially those that may be disadvantaged and vulnerable.

Groups can apply via www.ncf.uk.com with a closing date for applications of Friday 15 October.

Rachel McGrath, Deputy CEO and Grants Director of Northamptonshire Community Foundation said: “We have seen how the pandemic has massively impacted the economic and financial wellbeing of our local communities and so we are delighted to be able to launch a funding programme that will go some way to help support and contribute to local economic wellbeing and give a boost to new and existing social enterprise activity locally.”

Time is our biggest constraint

As business owners we often talk about growing our business, we develop plans, we create ideas, but rarely do we find the time to realise them.   For many small business owners, the introduction of a Virtual Assistant can release them from the burden of day-to-day administration, freeing up valuable time and space to focus on what is really important.  The introduction of a Virtual Assistant is often a signification step on the pathway for growth, offering a flexible cost efficient solution to our biggest constraint, that of time. Continue reading