The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is delighted to announce a new grant scheme, which will see £50,000 delivered in grants to businesses in need. 

Applications are now open with individual grants of up to £5,000 available. Applications are welcomed from anyone who meets the full eligibility criteria, including current and former borrowers of the charity.

To be eligible for consideration for a grant for business purposes you / your business must be:

• over 18 and under 45 years of age
• resident in Leicestershire or Rutland and operating your business from within this area
• running your business currently, and have been doing so for at least 1+ year
• able to demonstrate a real need for the grant and the positive impact receiving it will have on your business
• a sole trader, partnership or limited company. We regret we are unable to accept applications from registered charities or CICs
• We regret we are unable to accept applications from any individual / business which was successful in receiving a grant from us in 2021

Book now for this free workshop to understand what it takes to craft a compelling job vacancy and how to sell it to attract candidates.

This interactive half-day workshop will cover topics such as:

• How to write a compelling job advert that supports recruitment based on an individual's personal attributes rather than experience and the difference between a job advert, description and specification
• How to use the power of social media to promote job vacancies
• How to access young people and build a pipeline

What you will come away with:

• A clear understanding of what structures and processes work best with inexperienced candidates and how to align yourself with the expectations of young people
• Be informed of some simple hacks and insights that will remove barriers and access a wider audience
• Create a recruitment plan that uses current options and initiatives that allow you to introduce yourself as an employer of choice.

Free and open to employers in the Harborough District. 

Time: 10am - 1pm
Date: Thursday 11 August 2022
Location: Harborough Innovation Centre

The University of Leicester School of Business has launched the new 90% government-funded Help to Grow: Management programme, a course that aims to boost the leadership skills of senior managers at SMEs to help them take their business to the next level. 
 
Accredited by the Small Business Charter, we are offering this 12-week practical programme to SMEs based in the East Midlands. The course combines online and face-to-face learning, and covers keys areas of leaderships including strategy and innovation, growing national and international markets, engaging and inspiring teams, and financial management amongst other key topics. 
 
Starting from 8 September 2022, you'll be provided with: 

• 8 facilitated online 2-hour sessions
• 4 practical and interactive face-to-face case study workshops at the University of Leicester School of Business
• 10 hours of confidential 1:1 mentoring
• 8 online peer group calls
• Access to the Help to Grow alumni programme and networking events

 
SMEs may be from any sector but must employ 5-249 people. The course costs £750 per participant, with 1 person eligible to enrol if you have 5-9 employees and up to 2 people eligible to enrol if you have 10-249 employees. 
 
Please click the button below to find out more and register to secure a place on the programme or don't hesitate to get in touch at ulsb.business@le.ac.uk to discuss the benefits of the programme for your business.  

Get started on your journey to Net Zero today by joining the UK's fastest growing sustainability community for free. There are still funded places left for Harborough district businesses to get a 12-month membership to Zellar! 

Zellar makes sustainability simple and actionable. Their community supports entrepreneurs, change makers and innovators on their journey to Net Zero and beyond. Zellar was designed to support UK businesses with a single, actionable view of their emissions and step-by-step guidance on how to lead on sustainability.

Once you've signed up, you'll be able to measure, manage and share your sustainability journey all in one place. 

The SHIRE Community Grant programme enables VCSE (Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise) sector organisations to deliver community-based projects, services and activities which help to improve the lives of vulnerable people in Leicestershire.

Eligible organisations are able to apply for grants for community based projects and activities that are specifically focused on supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged people and communities.

They are particularly interested in funding services, projects and activities that will:

• improve the lives, health and wellbeing of vulnerable or disadvantaged people and communities in Leicestershire
• provide community-based early intervention and prevention solutions which help to reduce demand on Council and other public services
• complement existing services already being delivered

Your organisation can only apply for either a Small Grant (max £3,000) or a Large Grant (max £10,000) in 2022-23.