5 minute read
News
Reach Children’s Hub, based in Feltham, provides an innovative example of community work using the cradle-to-career model. It holistically supports thousands of children in Feltham to enable them to live the lives of choice and opportunity, and for their families to thrive.
At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic the sharp rise in furlough, under-employment and unemployment facing the community became increasingly concerning. This was [ use the one that works best ]Logo Options compounded by the fact that many wards in Feltham already had multiple economic disadvantages from access to resources to economic participation. We knew that the economic fallout of the pandemic was hitting the low-skilled, contact-based sectors the
Reach Children’s Hub launches employment and skills development initiative
most. At that time the area had the 3rd highest furlough rate in the country. Therefore, we sought to understand the situation on the ground better. In October, we interviewed more than 420 people. Over half of the people interviewed had experienced a negative effect on employment (52%). The effects were various. From families who lost their jobs or closed down their businesses (15%) to those that have lost income due to their jobs being unstable (27%). Disconcertingly, more than half of the interviews had significant concerns about maintaining or still having a job in the next 6 months (55%). 19% of the interviewees had significant financial concerns. Of those 55% indicated that they might not be able to meet the household bills in the next 4 weeks, and 15% said that they might not be able to afford food for their children. We tried to avoid the age old trap of linking historically deprived communities with tokenistic interventions. As well as providing emergency support, we also considered what programmes are going to provide good and sustainable jobs for our community? One of the ways we have addressed the question has led us to working with the Positive Transformation Initiative and CISCO to establish different pathways to employment for local residents. We know that one of the best levers we have for transformation is working with the local businesses who are keen to collaborate and think differently. To find out more please visit:
www.reachacademyfeltham.com
Reach Academy is a valued member of the Chamber and Sally Smith has actively introduced them to local Feltham businesses.
Business success, the virtual way
Virtual Beans Accounting is a team of everything in order, from VAT and payroll to The pandemic has taught us all to think about experienced financial professionals. As the tax returns and annual reports. how we work and we like to think we operate name suggests, we work virtually, without Business success, the virtual way a bit differently. We take the time and trouble big office costs and overheads, connecting you to us using the latest cloud software and technology. We bring you all the benefits and If you are expanding or looking for finance and not sure of the best way to go about it, we can help. We will deliver your business You may be an ambitious start-up. You may be a fully-fledged business – or looking to retire and exit it. You may have your eye on a company to acquire …Whatever stage you’re at, our virtual Financial Director service can help propel you to the next level – and way beyond. to understand your business, your plans and aspirations. brains of a professional financial director or plan and will work alongside you to help you Of course we’ll deal with how your business [ use the one that works best ]Logo Options accountant without any of the full time costs. through the process.Virtual Beans Accounting is a team of experienced financial professionals. As the name performed last year and take care of submitting suggests, we work virtually, without big office costs and overheads, connecting you to us using your accounts and returns, but we also get really, Focusing on the present, planning for the future, we make it our business to help your business. Manoj Bhardwaj is the driving force behind Virtual Beans. An accomplished accountant who has also the latest cloud software and technology. We bring you all the benefits and brains of a professional financial director or accountant without any of the full time costs. really excited when we can talk to you about the here and now and help you plan the future. Focusing on the present, planning for the future, owned and run a variety of SME businesses, he we make it our business to help your business. Virtual Beans Accounting can be the backbone has a firm understanding of the issues faced by Get in touch to talk about what keeps you for your company providing instant strategic start-ups, and by businesses looking to scale or awake at night, whether it’s a business financial advice at any stage of your business: exit. He’s been there and he’s done it. And the only Virtual Beans Accounting can be the backbone for your company providing instant strategic headache or the-moststart up, growth, and exiting. But we can also help with all the nuts and bolts of keeping thing he loves more than a good challenge is a good success story for his clients. financial advice at any stage of your business: start up, growth, and exiting. But we can also help with all the nuts and bolts of keeping everything in order, from VAT and payroll to tax returns and annual reports. amazing business idea. If you are expanding or looking for finance and not sure of the best way to go about it, we can help. Contact: Manoj Bhardwaj or Chloe McGlynn | 07771 502 252 | mb@virtualbeans.co.uk | cm@virtualbeans.co.ukWe will deliver your business plan and will work alongside you to help you through the process. https://www.virtualbeans.co.uk/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/69744744/admin/ Manoj Bhardwaj is the driving force behind Virtual Beans. An accomplished accountant who has also owned and run a variety of SME businesses, he has a firm understanding of the issues faced by start-ups, and by businesses looking to scale or exit. He’s been there and he’s done
