It’s been another week of change—on Friday the five mile travel limit was lifted and self-contained holiday accommodation allowed; from today, bars and restaurants will be able to open outdoor spaces. And more alterations are set to come in next week. With so much happening, we understand that it can feel difficult to keep up, so here you’ll find the news you might have missed and help to find the advice you need.
Scottish Enterprise Rural Leadership Programme: This programme is for rural leaders or key employees who have ambitions for the future of their business and recognise the need to change their business model, learn new skills, embrace digital technologies and a new way of working, and respond to their customers’ needs. Led by key experts in their field, it includes over 40 hours of virtual workshops, team tasks, group discussion and 1-to-1 coaching sessions over six months. Run from October 2020 to March 2021, there will be four regional groups, each with 10 participants.
Join one of the introductory webinars to find out how SERLP could benefit you and hear more from the facilitators and leadership coaches. Dates are: 16 July 8pm, 28 July 8pm, 12 August 1:30pm. To register your interest, discuss eligibility or confirm your place, please contact: aileen.carr@sac.co.uk
Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund: Part of the Scottish Government’s £185m Business Support Fund, the £10 million fund will help venues who cannot yet reopen to their audiences due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19. The fund will be run by Creative Scotland. Read more here.
Baring Foundation funding to support arts and mental health organisations: The first call for applications to the new Arts programme supporting Arts and Mental Health has been announced. The funding will offer modest, unrestricted grants to established organisations in the UK that focus solely on offering creative opportunities using the skills of professionally trained artists to people of any age living with mental health problems. Read more here.
Community Development Worker Opportunity: Meigle and Ardler Community Development Trust, in collaboration with the local Community Council and GrowBiz, is looking to appoint a Community Development Worker. Further information relating to this role including the job application pack can be requested by emailing: meigleardlercc@gmail.com Closing date for applications is midday on Thursday 09 July.
Scottish Enterprise Webinars: This webinar programme is designed give you insights from sector and market specialists on essential topics and opportunities to grow your business. Topics include:
SCOTLAND: THE SMART AND SECURE LOCATION FOR CYBER SECURITY
Tuesday 7 July, 2 - 3pm—book here.
SELLING ON GLOBAL MARKETPLACES - AMAZON
Wednesday 15 July 2 - 3pm—book here.
SELLING ON GLOBAL MARKETPLACES-EBAY
Wednesday 29 July, 2-3pm—book here.
Self Employment Schemes Deadlines: A reminder that the Newly Self-employed Hardship Fund (administered by local authorities across Scotland) will close to new applicants on the 10th of July. Additionally, if you are eligible and wish to claim the first grant in the HMRC Self-employment Income Support Scheme you must do so on or before the 13th of July. Find more information here.
The Women’s Business Centre: This new centre for women in business has been launched by our ecosystem partner Women’s Enterprise Scotland and will help you bring your business idea to life. Whether you are curious about starting up a business and want to find out more, or actively shaping up a new idea, you'll find practical tips on the new platform here.
Smart Village Scotland is powered by GrowBiz, who really want to support the small rural businesses across Scotland that are now reopening or starting up, which is where the REDS initiative comes in. Read the latest updates below:
REDS (Rural Enterprise Directory Scotland): Our £3 million fundraising campaign to support micro-enterprises and the self-employed in rural Scotland has had almost 50 pledges so far! If you haven’t yet contributed please take a moment to look at our crowdfunding page and consider making a donation, however small: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/reds
We’ve set ourselves a month to reach our fundraising target - which will enable us to support 1,200 enterprises in rural Scotland.
You can also help by sharing the news of REDS within your own networks wherever possible, and liking and sharing our activity on social media to help us reach more people:
Instagram: @REDS_Scotland
Twitter: @REDS_Scotland
Linkedin: Rural Enterprise Directory Scotland
Facebook: RuralEnterpriseDirectoryScotland We are also taking expressions of interest in joint the directory. Sign up here.
We would love to hear your stories of how the coronavirus crisis has affected your business and how REDS funding could help. We are featuring such stories on the REDS social media pages. Please get in touch at connect@growbiz.co.uk