Dates to be aware of:
14 June is FSB Day! We're celebrating everything that's great about being an FSB member. For one day only, you can access exclusive deals and discounts, win amazing prizes, and maximise your membership. Take a look at our national Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and Instagram pages each working day until 13 June 2023 to be in with the chance to win. You can also find out more about FSB Day here.
Events coming up this month:
1 June 2023 11am-12noon - Somerset and North Somerset Virtual Networking, where Mark Moore from the South West Cyber Resilience Centre will be talking to us about their free support for small businesses across the region, designed to help your business stay safe online.
14 June 2023 10:30-11:30am - South West Women in Business, a friendly regular networking session aimed at women in business in the South West (Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Bristol) but open to all.
15 June 2023 11am-12noon - Swindon and Wiltshire Virtual Networking, where Simon Casebourne from The Ethical Leader will be our speaker on how to make deeper connections with your contacts.
6 July 2023 11am-12noon - Somerset and North Somerset Virtual Networking
There are also a number of National networking events which are available to browse here. Ruth, Development Manager for Somerset and Wiltshire, holds the National Engineering, Manufacturing and Transport Virtual Networking - if you work in or with these sectors then come along!
Get involved and showcase your business:
Here at FSB Somerset and Wiltshire, we would love to showcase your business, and so we have launched a #MemberMondays campaign for our socials to do exactly this! If you would like to be featured, click here to find out how.
Somerset and Wiltshire Member Clinics
You can book a one to one meeting with Ruth, FSB Development Manager for Somerset and Wiltshire, to discuss how to maximise your membership and make sure you aren't missing out on any local support.
What you might have missed in May:
Ruth is always on the lookout for business support opportunities, hints, tips, best practice, networking, and ways to help you make the most of your FSB membership. Keep an eye out for articles that come out regularly on the South West regional page to stay informed of what's happening in your area!
May's top tips to stay safe online: We are partnering with the South West Cyber Resilience Centre (SWCRC) to bring you a monthly update on the top three online threats and challenges they are finding for small businesses across the region.
Opportunities to supply your local council - FSB Somerset and Wiltshire's work with local councils' procurement departments.
Help to Grow management course: Take part in one of the University of the West of England’s Help to Grow management courses.
Somerset and North Somerset:
Digital support in Somerset: Heart of the South West Growth Hub has advice, guidance and resources to help your use of digital tools.
Free training for North Somerset businesses: Weston College have funding to run a range of free short courses to help your business.
New Somerset business mentoring scheme: Somerset Council has launched a new business mentoring programme to support their small business community.
North Somerset business support: The Hive’s business counsellors provide impartial, confidential and free support to stimulate and encourage local businesses.
Thrive Business Support for Somerset Extended: the support programme coordinated by Heart of the South West Growth Hub has been extended.
Swindon and Wiltshire
Free courses at New College Swindon: If you are based in Swindon and would like to boost your skills this year why not get in touch with New College Swindon?
A new opportunity to provide property maintenance for Wiltshire Council: Wiltshire Council is tendering all of its planned maintenance contracts, lasting 5-10 years for its stock of 5,300 houses, flats, and sheltered accommodation schemes located across Wiltshire.
Supporting FSB Members in Salisbury: FSB Somerset and Wiltshire team members Chris, Ruth and Beth visited Salisbury to speak to members and local businesses, as well as meeting with local government.
Meet the team or get involved
Our Somerset and Wiltshire volunteers: Our local volunteers get involved with topical issues and help us to gather and collate member views.
We are searching for new South West FSB Membership recruits: If you know someone who may be looking for a new role, which gives them the chance to be their own boss while helping to support fellow small business owners and the self-employed to get the support and practical help they need, please forward this on to them.
