Manufacturing/engineering Archives - Sandwell Business Growth

Sandwell young people’s festival gets a goodwill boost

Posted on 12 July 202417 July 2024 by Marie

A youth festival taking place in Sandwell Valley this weekend will be even brighter thanks to the generosity of two businesses.

On Saturday 13 July, Sandwell Valley will be the vibrant setting for SHAPE Youth Summer Fest 2024. This brings together young people and their families from across the region for fun and entertainment.

To ensure the event has the right kind of sparkle, Dodd Group and its contractor CPS are providing electrical engineering services and generators free of charge.

Features of the one-day festival include a Youth Zone with a UV rave tent and a Family Zone with dhol drumming workshops and giant Lego. The Sports Zone will have boxing, cycling and zorb football. Meanwhile, the Music Zone will have sets from several DJs, including Rena Sparks and eleven-year-old DJ Naziah.

Sandwell Council’s SHAPE Programme team is organising the festival, together with a range of services and partner organisations.

In an act of generosity, the mechanical and electrical engineering specialist Dodd Group has pledged 80 hours of free labour to set up the electrical systems for the festival. Its subcontractor CPS, which provides generators, is also offering its services free of charge. The companies are doing this as part of their social value commitment to the Constructing West Midlands (CWM) Framework. Through this, they supply services to Sandwell Council and its Urban Design and Building Services team.

Festival goers at a previous SHAPE Youth Summer Fest, visiting a stall of plants

Keen to give back to Sandwell

Matt Lewis is Managing Director of Dodd Group Property Services. He explained why the companies are delighted to donate work ‘in kind’ to SHAPE Youth Summer Fest 2024.

“Although the festival is free for people to access, there is a huge amount of work involved for Sandwell Council and the SHAPE Team in ensuring a big event like this is safe and enjoyable for everyone who attends.

“When we looked at what we could do as suppliers to fulfil our social value commitment to the CWM Framework, this youth festival was high on our list. We are keen to give back to Sandwell and its communities, and this is an event that will benefit many of the borough’s young people.

“By taking care of the electrical side of SHAPE Youth Summer Fest, we can allow the organisers to focus their energy and budget into delivering a fantastic day filled with music, activities and fun.”

Fancy going to the festival?

SHAPE Summer Youth Festival 2024 takes place from 12 noon to 8pm on Saturday 13 July, in Sandwell Valley, West Bromwich. Go to www.justyouth.org.uk/ysf to learn more.

Congratulations to TopLabs Prosthetics for securing Oldbury site

Posted on 10 July 202410 July 2024 by Ethan Bailey

TopLabs Prosthetics has acquired the 45,000 sq. ft. lab it was renting in Oldbury, enhancing its operations and creating new jobs.

We’re glad to hear via Insider Media that TopLabs Prosthetics, a leading dental prosthetics manufacturer, has significantly enhanced its operations by acquiring the 45,000 sq. ft. laboratory in Oldbury that it had been leasing since 2019.

Thanks to a £146,000 commercial mortgage from HSBC UK, this investment will allow TopLabs to refurbish and customise the lab, produce 10,000 more dentures per year and take on more contracts.

Creating new jobs in Sandwell

The expansion of TopLabs Prosthetics is not only a significant step for the company but also a boost for the local economy. By adding six new technician positions to its 30-strong existing staff, TopLabs is contributing to job creation and economic growth in the Sandwell area.

Well done to the team!

The nuts and bolts of industry: supporting SCG growth and job creation

We helped SCG secure grant funding to purchase new machinery required to grow the business and create new jobs.

About SCG Engineering

Based in Tipton, SCG Engineering manufactures and distributes fasteners and related products to a range of industries throughout the UK and Europe.

It supplies products for a wide range of heavy-duty applications such as nuts, bolts, washers and thread. It supplies market sectors that include petrochemical, agricultural, road and rail, power, construction and flood defence.

As a rapidly growing business, SCG prides itself on its ability to work closely with its customers to manufacture and fulfil high volume bespoke orders and special requirements in-house.

Its aim is always to build long term relationships with its customers, regardless of order value.

Growth funding support

Due to its rapid expansion, SCG needed new machinery in ???? and turned to our Business Growth Team for support. We were delighted to help SCG secure a £3,555 grant from Aim for GOLD to purchase the machinery required.

In turn, this helped the business to expand and to create at least one new job role at the company.
The ERDF partially funded AIM for GOLD to support local small and medium-sized enterprises in achieving growth. For example, by supporting investment in capital equipment for SMEs.

Over four years, our Business Growth Team has helped 92 businesses in Sandwell with face-to-face support and, in many cases, grant funding.

SCG director Shaun Collinson said: “Sandwell council are five stars when it comes to their business support. Their help to get this grant over the finish line was fantastic. We simply cannot thank them enough. We wouldn’t want to be under any other borough.”

[Name] was SCG’s business mentor from Sandwell Council’s Business Growth Team. They said: “We were thrilled that SCG secured the grant from AIM for GOLD. This was key in supporting the growth of the company through the purchase of new machinery. It’s always a pleasure to work with Sandwell companies such as SCG. ”

About AIM for GOLD

IGNORE THIS SECTION – MARIE WILL WRITE AN OVER-ARCHING STORY TO LINK THE CASE STUDIES FROM

The Black Country region needs to provide sufficient support for businesses, including skills development and capital investment. The aim is to increase the productivity of existing firms and enable them to innovate and grow. The area also needs support to encourage more businesses to start up and scale up.

In Sandwell, 49 businesses received at least £1000 in funding – with over £792,000 being awarded in all. This has led to the creation of 37 new jobs and helped Sandwell companies leverage over £1.7m in private sector finance.

Our Business Growth Team at Sandwell Council is delighted to have exceeded all targets for delivering the Aim for GOLD scheme.

Sandwell Council was the only West Midlands local authority to meet all its targets. This included the number of companies supported, the amount of grant funding issued and the number of new jobs generated.

Together with regional partners Wolverhampton, Walsall and Dudley councils, the Aim for GOLD scheme supported a total of 292 companies. It awarded over £3.2m of grant funding.

Every member of our Business Growth Team – Gareth, Helen, Nicy and Darshana – worked hard to achieve (and exceed) all their targets and make a difference to our local economy. SCG Engineering is an example of just one business we supported in Sandwell.

Helping manufacturers produce new products: P&H Fabrications

Investing in new machinery can be a challenging cost for SMEs to meet, but it can make a big difference to the range and quality of products a company is able to produce. AIM for GOLD, which is part-funded by the ERDF, was designed to help smaller businesses achieve their potential by providing grant funding for capital investment.

About P&H Fabrications

P&H Fabrications is the in-house manufacturing arm of RLW Roofing, which manufactures, supplies and installs a full range of roofing systems and bespoke building envelopes across the UK. The products fabricated at its West Bromwich site include rain screen cladding systems, cappings, soffits, facias, light gauge steel framings, and other bespoke aluminium architecture.

Why and how Sandwell Council helped P&H Fabrications

P&H Fabrications is just one of over 90 Sandwell companies supported by the AIM for GOLD programme, which offers one-to-one support as well as grant funding. P&H Fabrications used its £20k Aim for GOLD grant to help fund a new CNC laser. This enabled the company to produce a new product which required a more intricate cut.

“We have been able to grow as a business.”

Zak Fullerton, manager at P&H said: “Following the installation of this machine, we have been able to grow as a business, ensure employee retention and even employ a new apprentice – all whilst operating within a challenging business climate.”

[Name] was P&H’s business mentor from Sandwell Council’s Business Growth Team. They said: “It was great to be able to help P&H purchase cutting edge equipment, and expand their product range. This will benefit the business, as well as its customers.”

About AIM for GOLD in Sandwell

Together with regional partners Wolverhampton, Walsall and Dudley councils, the AIM for GOLD scheme supported 292 companies and awarded over £3.2m of grant funding.

Our Business Growth Team at Sandwell Council was delighted to exceed all targets for delivering AIM for GOLD. These targets included the number of companies supported, the amount of grant funding issued and the number of new jobs generated.

In Sandwell, we helped 49 businesses access at least £1000 each in AIM for GOLD funding – with over £792,000 awarded in all. This led to the creation of 37 new jobs and helped Sandwell companies leverage over £1.7m in private sector finance.

Adopt a school: business and education helping each other

Sandwell’s ‘Adopt a School’ initiative matches businesses with local schools to make early connections and help pupils transition into employment.

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills recognises that “businesses working in partnership with schools create more work experience opportunities, working alongside practical curriculum materials, STEM projects and inspirational career talks. This brings about enrichment programmes and understanding of the real world of work”.

This works well with Sandwell Council’s strong social value agenda – which encourages businesses to give back to the communities in which they deliver contracts.

In Sandwell, we encourage key contractors to pair with schools in their area of works. This creates a relationship for the life of the contract, and sometimes beyond. The activities offered can include mock interviews, taster sessions and work experience.

MCP and Holly Lodge High School

MCP is a privately-owned housing maintenance SME. Sandwell’s Social Value Team paired MCP with Holly Lodge High School in Smethwick where the company sponsored an award for ‘Vision and Ethos of Community, Opportunity, Ambition’. Tanya Sharma picked up the prize; she is pictured here with senior assistant head teacher Kelly Dunn.

MCP will continue to sponsor the award, including a £50 voucher for the winner, for the duration of the contract. The company also took part in a ‘What’s Your Story?’ video initiative. This helped pupils look at potential career paths. MCP staff will also attend careers days, giving talks and mock interviews.

MCP and Annie Lennard Primary School

The business also led an initiative at Annie Lennard Primary School in Smethwick. It launched a competition to design a ‘welcome to your new home’ card. Prizes will be awarded in November 2024.

Rosie Hughes, MCP’s business development manager, said: “We were keen to establish connections within the local community to ensure our social value was targeted to provide the best possible impact. The social value team at Sandwell Council was instrumental in introducing us to community organisations and local schools. We highly recommend the ‘Adopt A School’ initiative to other suppliers looking to make a positive impact on the local community.”

Can your business help local school children develop their skills and knowledge?

Our Sandwell Business Growth Team can help find the perfect match for your company.

West Midlands Ambulance Hub: delivering social value through construction

Sandwell Council, Stoford and McLaren Construction made sure the development of a new hub for the West Midlands Ambulance Service brought wider community benefits through apprenticeships, internships and schools engagement.

Healthcare premises specialist Assura plc funded the 72,000 square foot, three-storey building on Shidas Lane in Oldbury. Replacing a smaller base in West Bromwich, it is the largest of its kind in the UK, significantly increasing ambulance operational capacity for the Black Country.

The new West Midlands Ambulance Hub accommodates around 350 operational ambulance staff, working shifts. It includes a facility for the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), as well as fleet maintenance and vehicle preparation areas. It also has an education and training academy, and central stores.

And as we explain here, it not only provides essential emergency services but its construction helped boost skills and career aspirations for local people.

Sandwell Council’s social value drive

All year round, Sandwell Council works hard to encourage social value from businesses – helping to ensure the work they do in Sandwell brings wider educational, social and environmental benefits to the area. In the case of the West Midlands Ambulance Services hub construction, the council was able to get social value commitments from a range of organisations – who delivered on their promises.

This work meant that the hub build created eleven apprenticeships for local people, and generated two internships in construction management.

When electrics company WysePower started work on the site, for example, it took on five apprentices in electrical and plumbing disciplines. McLaren’s social value consultant helped to make this happen, as well as the Employment and Skills Team from Sandwell Council.

Early on in the development, McLaren also engaged with Birmingham City University and offered site visits and talks. The work generated two six-week internships in construction, given to students Reece and Abdul at the university. Both said they found the placement very beneficial. Abdul spent time shadowing different roles, including engineering, design, quantity surveying and site management. He commented that this opened his eyes to the different roles and possibly changed his career aspirations.

Sandwell Council also supported McCoy Contractors, the groundworks company on the project, in recruiting groundworker apprentice, Cameron.

When asked what he enjoyed about his role, Cameron said: “I have really settled into my role at McCoy Contractors. I really enjoy the physical side of the work. I have been allocated to a ‘gang’ on site and I have formed a great friendship with all of the lads that I work with. They trust me and therefore allow me to prepare the pipes or even help lay them. This means that I am always busy, which I believe is key to enjoyment, especially during the apprenticeship stage.”

Sandwell schools engagement

Throughout construction of the new site, McLaren enjoyed a close relationship with Rounds Green Primary School, which is just a few minutes’ walk away.

Project manager Dave Newman and sustainability manager Naomi Warr gave talks to the whole school on sustainability. They also launched a bug house design competition and followed this with class visits to the site.

The judges of the competition were blown away by the standard of entries. So much so that two overall prizes were awarded, in addition to each year group winner. The winning teams went to the site to build the bug houses out of waste materials to encourage biodiversity.

All the winners of the design competition received prizes donated by contractors McCoy and PJ Brickwork.

Roadworks litter pick: bridging the gap between business and social value

Bridge Construction Ltd downed tools for the day on its latest Sandwell project on the A461 to undertake a litter pick.

The team from Bridge Construction Ltd joined forces with our Sandwell Council team to pick up litter along the route of the works taking place on the A461 from Great Bridge to Peake Drive, Tipton. The litter pick formed just part of the company’s social value commitment.

The fifteen-strong team of helpers collected around 25 bin bags of rubbish along the 2.5km of footway on either side of the scheme. Local residents and business owners alike welcomed the initiative.

Civil engineering meets social value

Bridge Construction Ltd is a Midlands-based construction company with a passion for civil engineering. The company has been a contractor on the West Midlands Minor Works Framework for Sandwell and other local authorities in the Black Country for many years.

Its projects range from the simplest to the most complex and technically challenging, from £10k to £2m+. Some of the schemes it has worked on include the access road and car park at Dudley Zoo, and Wednesbury High Street.

Sandwell Council has a strong social value agenda and, as Bridge Construction is equally keen to give back to its local communities, the litter pick seemed like the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Good weather, great job

Senior engineer manager for Sandwell Council Steve Scrivens said: “Bridge Construction Ltd is commissioned to work on the ongoing Active Travel Fund project on the A461. The company kindly agreed to suspend their works and undertake a litter pick of the entire length of the works as part of their social value commitment.

People wearing high vis PPE clothing picking up litter on a road with brown brick buildings on the right.

“The litter pick went really well. There were about fifteen of us and we accumulated quite a few black bags on that Friday afternoon. Thanks to the good weather and a great job accomplished by all.”

Richard Lewis, commercial director of Bridge Construction said: “The day went well. There were 15 helpers from both Bridge Construction and Sandwell Council to help. With over 25 bags of rubbish collected.

“We are looking to help a Sandwell school with erecting fencing next. I’m also happy to have further discussions with the social value team on how we can assist the local community with other social value projects in the future.

“Thank you to the Sandwell Highways team for their great support in getting the works done. And thank you to the Social Value Team for supporting all our community activities.”

Well done to everyone involved!

‘How to be a winner’: online masterclass on the King’s Award for Enterprise

The West Midlands Lieutenancy is holding a free virtual masterclass on Wednesday 26 June. It is for anyone who is planning to apply for a King’s Award for Enterprise and wants to boost their chances of success.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise is the UK’s most prestigious business award. Winning one can raise your company’s profile, boost staff morale and help secure more work.

The hour-long session will be delivered via Microsoft Teams. It will include presentations about the awards and top tips on how to submit a successful application. A previous winner will also join to share their own success story and the benefits of winning an award.

To book your place, compl ete the sign-up form.

Access to Finance: information and advice workshop from Business Growth West Midlands

BGWM’s Investment Readiness team is hosting this free, interactive Access to Finance workshop on Thursday 11 July.

The session is aimed at Birmingham, Solihull and Black Country SMEs. It will give an overview of the funding options available to businesses, and help demystify the funding landscape. And it’s taking place at our very own Sandwell Start-Up Hub in Oldbury.

Topics covered will include:

Debt finance and understanding interest rates
Alternative finance
Grant funding – is it free?
Crowdfunding – reward, social and equity
Angel investment and venture capital – when is it right for you?
The importance of creating a pitch deck or business plan
Financial forecasting and why it’s the narrative you need

There will also be access to online resources and further support from the Access to Finance team.

Doors open at 9.30am for refreshments, registration and networking. The session runs from 10am to 1pm.

Book your free place on Eventbrit e.

Lord Combustion Services sponsors charity run

Posted on 6 June 202411 July 2024 by Ethan Bailey

Staff and students from Windsor Academy Trust have raised over £20,000 for their community foundation’s ‘Bed and Breakfast’ campaign. Oldbury-based heating specialist Lord Combustion Services was their key sponsor.

Windsor Academy Trust is a multi-school academy trust with its headquarters in Halesowen. Its has a special campaign to ensure every child in its family of schools has their own bed to sleep in, and breakfast each morning.

Two-day running challenge

To raise money for the ‘Bed and Breakfast’ campaign, staff and students took part in a two-day running challenge. More than 70 people ran between the trust’s 15 schools, in a distance equivalent to two marathons, with the route including Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Cheslyn Hay, Great Wyrley, Walsall, Winson Green, and Halesowen. They wore T-shirts with the Lord Combustion Services’ logo on them.

The event concluded at Kingswinford Academy with a 5km family fun run and final celebration.

Dawn Haywood, CEO of Windsor Academy Trust, expressed her gratitude. “I would like to thank all those who made the event a resounding success, especially our generous sponsors Lord Combustion Services, CHG and Sync, along with our donors and supporters. Their unwavering support ensures we are on track to achieve our long-term goal of providing every child within our family of schools with a bed to sleep in and breakfast each day.”

Stuart Smith, Managing Director of Lord Combustion Services, said: “We are proud to support the Bed and Breakfast drive, recognising its significant impact on the community. Congratulations to everyone who participated and helped raise such a tremendous amount.”

About Lord Combustion Services

Operating since 1982, Lord Combustion Services employs nearly 50 staff and serves over 1,000 customers. The company has been awarded for its support for the armed forces and its commitment to sustainability, including the Outstanding Support for the Armed Forces prize at the 2023 Black Country Chamber of Commerce Business Awards and the 2021 sustainability trophy at the West Midlands Business Masters Awards. In 2022, Lord signed the West Midlands Net Zero Pledge to contribute to the region’s goal of becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2041.

If you’ve been inspired by this story of giving back, visit our social value page to learn more about how you can support the community.

NatWest Accelerator: empowering UK entrepreneurs

Posted on 4 June 202411 July 2024 by Ethan Bailey

The NatWest Accelerator supports and empowers UK entrepreneurs and business owners to scale their businesses to the next level.

This six-month, fully funded accelerator programme offers comprehensive support and expertise to overcome growth barriers. You will gain access to invaluable resources, including funding and finance advice, effective sales strategies and access to an entrepreneurial community. The programme is tailored to meet the unique needs of each business, with a focus on ambitious entrepreneurs eager to learn and contribute to the community’s ecosystem.

Why apply?

The NatWest Accelerator programme provides a wealth of opportunities. Participants benefit from six months of dedicated support, receiving guidance from mentors, partners and seasoned entrepreneurs. Experienced acceleration managers are also on hand to provide continuous assistance. Participants will be able to take advantage of a variety of valuable events and tap into a network of like-minded peers. Additionally, modern co-working spaces located in their nationwide hubs will be available.

Application criteria:

Are you the owner or decision maker in your business?
Are you working full time on this business?
Do you know there are customers who want your product or service?
Do you employ staff?
Are you aiming to build your team?
Are you looking to grow or scale your business?
Are you open to coaching, ready to learn and develop?
Are you committed to accelerating growth?
How are your applications assessed?

NatWest will evaluate you based on your ambition to grow your business, your desire to become part of the community and your willingness to learn. The review process will aim to understand your business and your goals to determine if it’s the right time for you to join the accelerator.

Supply Chain Transition Programme open for applications

Posted on 28 May 202428 May 2024 by Alex Taylor

Business Grown West Midlands is accepting applications for its Supply Chain Transition Programme. This scheme helps SMEs win new orders in growing areas of the economy.

The Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund finances the programme, which will support 160 West Midlands firms to win new business. It is part of the West Midlands Plan for Growth, helping local companies gain new customers, increase sales and boost employment.

Three key growth sectors

The Supply Chain Transition Programme is focused on three key growth sectors – Aerospace, very light rail and electric light vehicles, and micromobility. Delivery partners in each sector will help companies understand the sector, discover business opportunities and meet procurement requirements.

Successful applicants can access information and training through workshops, one-to-one coaching and peer support. There will also be access to exclusive ‘meet the buyer’ events.

Participating SMEs can expect help to:

prepare a roadmap to new sales,
develop risk analysis, mitigation and prevention,
develop the management team,
gain new accreditations,
develop a marketing strategy,
develop a training and recruitment plan.

Sandwell: the smart place to invest

Posted on 21 May 202421 May 2024 by Alex Taylor

This week, Sandwell Council is heading north to showcase the region and demonstrate that Sandwell is the smart place in which to invest.

Representatives from Sandwell Council will be attending the West Midlands pavilion at UKREiiF – the UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum in Leeds. As well as uniting with other councils to showcase the West Midlands region, they will tell delegates about the wealth of regeneration and investment opportunities right here in Sandwell.

The aim of UKREiiF is to connect people, places and businesses, to accelerate and unlock sustainable, inclusive and transformational investment. It attracts over 12,000 attendees, including developers, agents, contractors and exhibitors. In 2024, it runs from Tuesday 21 May to Thursday 23 May at the Royal Armouries Leeds & Leeds Dock.

UKREiiF: a packed event programme

For the first time at UKREiiF, the cities and towns of the West Midlands are uniting to showcase real estate and regeneration opportunities worth more than £20bn. From town centre transformations to university-backed innovation campuses, affordable housing to next-generation mixed use schemes, there is so much happening in our region.

So in the special West Midlands pavilion at UKREiiF this week, the West Midlands Growth Company is delivering a packed programme of networking sessions, presentations and discussions. Topics will include low carbon infrastructure, creative clusters, town centre regeneration, urban housing, social value and sport-related investment.

To see the full itinerary, download the brochure.

Key points that our own representatives will be putting across are Sandwell’s great location, growing and diverse population, excellent infrastructure and sector specialisms. These include advanced manufacturing and logistics, business and financial services, life sciences, and food and drink.

Improving Sandwell for everyone

They will also be taking brochures detailing regeneration progress in several Sandwell towns. Across Smethwick, Tipton, Oldbury, Rowley Regis, West Bromwich and Wednesbury, there are 69 planned projects and fourteen further projects recently completed, worth a total of £3bn and supporting over 14,000 jobs. They all have one goal – to improve Sandwell for everyone who lives and works here.

A smart place to invest

We hope that potential investors will hear the message and realise the benefits of turning to Sandwell for their future business plans.

Bring a tin: support Sandwell for the Big Help Out and Volunteers’ Week

Posted on 16 May 202416 May 2024 by Ethan Bailey

SCVO and Sandwell Council have a simple way for people to support two national initiatives: the Big Help Out and Volunteers’ Week. They’re asking everyone to take a tin of food to their local library – it’s as easy as that!

The Big Help Out and Volunteers’ Week, in early June, are great opportunities to support our community, boost team morale, and enhance your company’s reputation.

How you can participate

This year, SCVO (Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations) has set you a straightforward challenge to celebrate both events. Between Monday 3 June and Friday 7 June, take a tin of food to your nearest library! All donations will directly benefit local food banks, which are currently experiencing high demand.

Better still, encourage your team to coordinate a collective food donation effort. This will not only foster team spirit but also create a nice photo opportunity.

Drop-off dates for tins

Monday 3 June to Friday 7 June, at any Sandwell library during opening hours (here are the locations and opening details).
Saturday 8 June, 10am – 12 noon, Haden Hill House
Sunday 9 June, 10am – 12 noon, West Smethwick Park (at the pavilion).

Photo opportunities

Capture your team with their donations and share the moment on social media – you can tag SCVO, Let’s Go Sandwell, Sandwell Business Growth and Sandwell Business Ambassadors and each organisation will share wherever appropriate. Use the hashtag #BringATin!

If you’d like to coordinate a photo opportunity with SCVO, contact Kim Fuller via kim@scvo.info to find out which library she will be in on which day. Kim will also be at the park events on both days with a wheely bin for your donations.

Volunteering information events

During Volunteers’ Week, Sandwell libraries will be holding events to highlight local volunteering opportunities:

Monday 3 June: Hamstead Library, 10am – 12 noon
Monday 3 June: Tipton Library, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Tuesday 4 June: Cradley Heath Library, 11am – 1pm
Wednesday 5 June: Wednesbury Library, 9.30am – 11.30am
Wednesday 5 June: Oldbury Library, 3pm – 5pm
Friday 7 June: Thimblemill Library, 12 noon – 2pm

Litter picks

Sandwell is also hosting litter picks for the Big Help Out weekend:

Saturday 8 June, 10am – 12 noon: Haden Hill Park (meet in front of the House)
Sunday 9 June, 10am-12 noon: West Smethwick Park (meet at the pavilion).

All litter-picking equipment will be provided. You can drop off tins during those events, too. If you’re planning to attend a litter pick as a corporate team, please tell Kim Fuller via kim@scvo.info so she knows to expect you.

Let’s unite to make Sandwell proud!

About the Big Help Out and Volunteers’ Week

The Big Help Out raises awareness of volunteering throughout the UK. It provides opportunities for people to experience volunteering and make a difference in their communities.

In 2024, the Big Help Out is taking place from 7-9 June to coincide with Volunteers’ Week (3-9 June). In its 40th anniversary year, Volunteers’ Week celebrates the amazing contributions that volunteers make to communities across the UK.

Sandwell to Singapore: taking your business to the world

We’re collaborating with the UK Export Academy to help you explore your business’ export potential. Sign up for this must-attend learning event on Thursday 16 May. Let’s go global!

Imagine taking your Sandwell business out to the world. The opportunities it would open up. Come and explore your potential for global trade, and learn about support available to make it happen.

Join us and the UK Export Academy on Thursday 16 May for ‘Sandwell to Singapore’. This is a free breakfast event at the Sandwell Start-Up Hub in Oldbury.

We’ll take you on a journey to explore your export potential. Raj Theper, UK Export Academy Adviser, will explain the support available to Sandwell businesses through the Department for Business and Trade.

He will tell you how the UK Export Academy works and how its free online training will benefit your business.

Raj will be joined by an export champion to give an overview of their international journey – plus top tips on overcoming bumps in the road!

You will also be able to ask questions of our speakers, and network with other ambitious businesses.

‘Sandwell to Singapore’ takes place on Thursday 16 May from 7.30am to 9.30am at the Sandwell Start-Up Hub.

‘Sandwell to Singapore’ event agenda

7.30am Breakfast
8.00am Welcome from Sandwell Council
8.05am Introduction to the UK Export Academy from Raj Theper – UK Export Academy Adviser
8.35am Chat and Q&A session with export champion Ravi Sahota from World Wide Generation
9.00am – 9.30am Networking.

We look forward to helping you explore your global potential. See also our page on international trade for more export resources:

Young entrepreneurs on the rise: EPIC Awards

Posted on 30 April 202430 April 2024 by Kate Christie

Young entrepreneurs are rising. More young people than ever are turning to running their own business – and these awards celebrate them.

The EPIC Young Entrepreneur Awards is a platform to celebrate and recognise the achievements of young people. Especially those who have faced adversity and/or the care of a local authority, to become a startup business.

In 2022, the EPIC Awards launched, announcing eight inspirational young entrepreneurs from across the UK as winners. On the back of this success, the 2023 EPIC Awards became an even bigger event.

EPIC hopes that its 2024 Awards will be double the size again. Being held at the Burlington Hotel in central Birmingham, the event will include:

An entrepreneurs conference
Live entertainment
Guest speakers
Drinks reception and food.

What is EPIC?

EPIC is part of the Martin James Foundation, a charity set up to improve the lives of young people around the world. The founders established EPIC to support the growth of young, aspiring entrepreneurs between the ages of 16-25. It places a particular emphasis on those from disadvantaged, displaced or care backgrounds.

EPIC’s three-month programme equips young adults with the skills and knowledge to turn their dreams into reality and become their own bosses.

Since the 2022 Young Entrepreneur Awards, EPIC has seen a sharp increase in the number of new applicants to its programme. It has also seen more interest in mentoring and providing support to its growing community.

Young Entrepreneur Awards

EPIC’s Young Entrepreneur Awards are free to enter for young business owners and entrepreneurs. The awards recognise the achievements of young business owners who have faced challenges and found success. They celebrate their entrepreneurial creativity and passion.

The awards allow entrepreneurs to gain valuable support and win a £500 grant for their business in each category.

The criteria for entry include:

The nominee’s business must already be established and operating for at least six months
The founder must be aged under 25 years old.

Support the awards

Businesses can show their support for young entrepreneurs while taking the opportunity to network with other like-minded businesses at the Awards event.

Learn about sponsorship here

Find out more about the EPIC awards and register your interest here.

For more useful resources on starting your first business or growing your existing venture in Sandwell visit our young entrepreneurs page. We have details of programmes, funding, and awards to help your enterprise take flight.

Social Economy Growth Programme: apply now to grow your social enterprise

Posted on 26 April 202426 April 2024 by Alex Taylor

Charities, social enterprises and CICs have until Friday 3 May to apply for ‘Grow’. This scheme under the Social Economy Growth Programme offers training and grants to the social economy sector.

Aston Centre for Growth is running the Grow programme. It is fully funded and includes leadership and management training. This involves workshops, coaches, peer support to help elevate your business skills and confidence.

You will develop strategies to boost your income, develop a supportive network and work towards creating sustainable growth in your organisation. It also offers a grant of up to £10,000 to support you to increase your trading income.

Apply by Friday 3 May

The deadline for applications is Friday 3 May. For more information about the Grow programme, and to apply, visit the website.

Sandwell Clothing Bank: introducing a power-ful partner to help a community cause

We introduced our socially minded electrical contractors to a community clothing bank. The resulting partnership has warmed hearts – as well as a church hall in Bearwood.

St. Mary’s Church in Bearwood works with Sandwell Churches Link to host Sandwell Clothing Bank. This community scheme receives and sorts surplus unsold items of clothing and shoes, then distributes them to people who need them the most.

Hosting the Sandwell Clothing Bank brought a new lease of life to the hall at St. Mary’s, which had previously been empty. It has plenty of space to help volunteers do their good work.

St Mary's Church hall before McCann work — *Lots of potential: the hall at St. Mary’s Church in Bearwood, before the electrical work*

However, as the first winter of the partnership approached, it became apparent that the unheated hall could not house clothes in a suitable way. There was a risk that the Sandwell Clothing Bank stock would be affected by cold and damp.

The project had received a donation towards the cost of greenhouse-style heaters. These would prevent the hall temperature from falling below dew point. However, the hall still needed two new radial circuits to run around the perimeter, and new sockets.

‘Community benefits that go on’

Our Business Growth Team had an idea. Sandwell Council has a strong social value agenda and, as a result, we nurture excellent relationships with suppliers who are keen to give back to our local communities.

So Karen Richards, our Community Benefits Coordinator, approached J McCann & Co Ltd, one of Sandwell Council’s street lighting contractors. She asked whether the McCann team could help.

Happily, they could. McCann agreed to install the required electrical infrastructure at no cost to St Mary’s. Electrical engineers Josh and Dean even gave up their free time on a Saturday to complete the work.

Nick Brownlow is a project manager for McCann. He said: “We are always happy to help a good cause, wherever needed, and believe in supporting community benefits that go on supporting long after we move on from our works.”

Karen said: “We are always grateful to our council contractors supporting the council’s social value ethos and bring added value to our communities. We want to thank McCann for their hard work in making this hub a safe warm environment for the Sandwell Clothing Bank to succeed.”

As well as bringing physical warmth for Sandwell Clothing Bank, McCann has given generously to other causes in Sandwell. The company has donated books and given voluntary hours to local primary schools, including through ‘when I grow up’ reading sessions. It also contributed to Sandwell Council’s Christmas gift appeal. We thank the team for their continued generosity.

Can your business help Sandwell Clothing Bank?

James Lynch from Sandwell Church Links said: “Sandwell Clothing Bank are seeking donations of much-needed brand new or good quality supplies of clothes and shoes. We would welcome a conversation with local clothing and shoes outlets, to explore ways in which they might be able to partner with the project.”

Our Sandwell Business Growth Team can put you in touch if needed.

From left to right in the main picture: Josh Beck from J McCann & Co Limited. James Lynch, Chief Executive Officer of Sandwell Churches Link. Frank Herbert from St. Mary’s Church. Michael Wragg, Senior Social Value Officer at Sandwell Council. Dean Hodgkins from J McCann & Co Limited.

Our first Net Zero Navigators event was a success

Posted on 22 April 202422 April 2024 by Marie

To support Sandwell businesses with their journey towards sustainability, we held our first ‘Net Zero Navigators’ workshop last week.

Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Net Zero Navigators are our special breakfast events to help Sandwell businesses start their journey towards net zero.

Our first event took place on Tuesday 16 April at the Sandwell Start-Up Hub – our new co-working environment in Oldbury.

During the early morning session, our attendees were able to network and also explore topics that included:

Embracing sustainability within operational decision making
The work of not-for-profits in providing solar energy
The significant benefit of receiving a free energy audit
How to access funding for energy-efficiency improvement projects.

We were delighted to welcome expert speakers to deliver the workshop. Christian Byron from the Aston Centre for Growth at Aston University; Kevin Oubridge from Big Solar Co-op and Harry Long from the Black Country Industrial Cluster. Thank you to them all.

Ben Sharpe from our Business Growth Team said: “Sustainability is a complex matter that businesses often find challenging to tackle, so we were grateful for the opportunity to connect with many Sandwell businesses and assist them on taking an important step on the journey to net zero”.

We’ll bring you news of the next session soon – watch this space!

Get your free working space at our Sandwell Start-Up Hub

Posted on 19 March 202419 March 2024 by Marie

Aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners can work from our new Sandwell Start-Up Hub in Oldbury.

If you have a new business (trading for less than two years) in Sandwell, you could qualify for a free working space for twelve months up to March 2025.

Sandwell Start-Up Hub, located in Jack Judge House, Oldbury, B69 2AJ, is available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. It offers free welcoming workspaces including collaborative spaces, kitchen facilities, free WiFi, and meeting rooms for hire.

We want you to thrive and grow

Councillor Peter Hughes is Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and West Midlands Combined Authority. He said: “We want our local businesses to thrive and grow. It’s one of our priorities. Whether you are looking to collaborate, or you’re a new entrepreneur seeking resources, we want this hub to be your gateway to success.”

You may also be able to get additional expert guidance and resources via the Sandwell Enterprise Programme.