Horizons

The Tourism, Hospitality, Adult Health and Social Care, Manufacturing and Supply chain sectors were among the hardest hit during the pandemic and and as a result of the challenges of Brexit.

Guided by West Sussex County Council’s Economic Development Team, the RISE project developed three inspiring and sector thematic programmes of workshops and masterclasses targeted for these sectors, sharing the latest cuttingedge research and insights, and providing targeted support for organisations which reflected their specific challenges. The aim being to help them make the most from potential emerging opportunities.

20 Academics from across both universities delivered a variety of engaging workshops, masterclasses and webinars in three targeted areas.

+ Tourism and Hospitality programme -developed with Experience West Sussex and the Institute of Hospitality.

+ Adult Health and Social Care programme - developed with the Kent, Sussex and Surrey Academic Health Science Network.

+ Manufacturing and Supply Chain programme - developed with the local METALL forum.

Created to inspire confidence in new ideas and enabling businesses and social enterprises to take the next steps on their innovation journey, to develop agile and innovative approaches, enabling them to build resilience to challenges all this further supported through action learning sets.

The Horizons programmes enabled RISE members to maximise the networking element of the programme, which led to many collaborations.

Creating many in person events, including joint sessions for SMEs across tourism, health and wellbeing meant plenty of opportunities for networking creating fertile ground for new collaborations. In fact, the programme itself was agile, and true to the spirit of innovation as we also scoped, tested, piloted ideas with SMEs and academics to create relevant and engaging sessions that added value.

“I will continue to look at running my business with sustainability as its core.”

Donna Wignall, The Promotional People

“The Horizons programme has got me to think outside of my own box and cross over with other businesses with ideas on collaborating. It’s been fantastic to network with others and stimulate ideas – see what others are doing in their businesses. It also helped to move into other ideas I had but didn’t know where to start – a fantastic business dating opportunity!”

Karen Baird, Cuckoo Camp