1550 starting point newsletter nov 13

Winter 2013

STARTING POINT Newsletter Number 22 Brand new P.C equipment Starting Point recently upgraded all the IT equipment in the centre. We now have brand new PCs with Windows 7, new laptops and projectors in our meeting rooms and new colour printers and photocopier. Tayo Oyebola from KUA said ‘The Computers are a lot quicker and quite easy to use’ and all the new equipment in the meeting rooms gives a much more professional image when training our staff. We will also be selling all our old PCs, so please contact us if you are interested.

For more information, visit our website: www.starting-point.org.uk

B&D Collective Networking success

Staring Point and The Barking Enterprise Centre have collaborated to offer local businesses themed

networking events based at BEC in Cambridge Road, Barking. Our last event in July saw 30 entrepreneurs join together in speed networking and was a very enjoyable evening.

‘Pitch Your Pitch’ will be taking place on 25th November 6-8pm. Email invitations will be sent out by Nicola & Ian, if you do not receive an invitation and would like to come along please contact us.

Starting Point Packages for permanent groups Starting Point has now introduced fantastic cost effective packages for our permanent users. We understand the tough economic hardship groups are facing and also recognise the importance of flexibility. Any group that

has previously completed the 18 month programme at Starting Point would be eligible to become a permanent user. If you are interested in re-joining Starting Point please contact Gavin on 0203 288 2111 for more information.

You said we did.

One of our aims is to always keep improving and maintaining the facilities at Starting Point. We feel it is our duty to help sustain a professional and proficient environment.

Taking the feedback from our recent customer satisfaction survey into consideration we have decided to make some improvements and changes-

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New Equipment- All our computers has been updated this year and we have improved our photocopying facilities and mail sorting area.

New accredited training.

Starting Point has re-introduced 1to1 sessions with advisors from the CVS.

For more information, visit our website: www.starting-point.org.uk

Barclays Making a Difference Day Nine organisations from Starting Point were transported to Canary Wharf on 23rd October to take part in a mentoring session with the leadership team at Barclays. The two hour session enabled us to meet the chief executive, Anthony Jenkins, and his team of 8 experts in different parts of the business such as sales, marketing and customer service.

The leadership team were on hand to give advice and guidance to those that came along and have made a commitment to assist the groups further.

Not Just Fair Traders

NJFT is a social enterprise made up of 5 young entrepreneurs offering ethically sourced products such as rice, coffee, tea and chocolate. Their first official day of trading, that took place at Barking Foyer on 23rd August, saw over 30 people attend to purchase goods and meet the team.

The fairtrade products that NJFT sell are sourced from some of the world’s poorest communities; they are paid a fair price for their goods which in turn means they can provide a safer workplace and higher wages to their employees.

NJFT are now based at Starting Point and are hoping to provide their products to local businesses and corporate organisations who

wish to fulfil their corporate social responsibilities. By supporting NJFT you make a big difference to, not only farmers in developing countries, but young entrepreneurs who come from under privileged backgrounds.

Contact Details- njft@gmail.com, 07427 672398 or find us on facebook ‘Not Just Fairtraders’.

For more information, visit our website: www.starting-point.org.uk

16 Pickering Road Barking, Essex IG11 8PG

For more information about Starting Point, contact:

in partnership with

Nicola Brown Tel: 020 3288 2100 Email: nicola@starting-point.org.uk Gavin Charles Tel:020 3288 2111 Email: gavin@starting-point.org.uk

For more information, visit our website: www.starting-point.org.uk