Business

Business Funding match of the day a real winner for local businesses

A new scheme is offering micro, small and social enterprise businesses up to £5,000 of match-funding, provided they can raise an equivalent amount from 10 or more supporters. Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) set up the Crowdfund Dorset Business campaign in response to the first wave of the covid-19 pandemic. Developed as part of Crowdfunder UK’s pay-itforward campaign and with support from Enterprise Nation, the scheme has so far pledged over £36,000 in match-funding to nine businesses and projects across Dorset. Among them is Weymouth’s Nothe Fort, which raised £5,000 through crowdfunding, matched by Dorset LEP, to make the heritage attraction covid safe, enabling over 35,000 visitors to safely enjoy the attraction throughout the summer of 2020. Lorna Carver, Dorset LEP director, said: “While there has been a substantial amount of government funding available to businesses in Dorset throughout the pandemic, there are inevitably businesses and organisations who fall through the cracks or that have been – and continue to be – affected more than others. “Along with a range of other business support schemes, we created Crowdfund Dorset Business as an additional opportunity to help local businesses and organisations – from sole traders through to larger SMEs – adapt to the challenges of trading through the pandemic. “We have seen how it has made difference to some businesses already, and while restrictions remain in place, we’re sure it can benefit others as well.” Other projects that have received funding include Christchurch Seagulls Swimming Club, Chaplin’s Bar, Coda Music Trust and the Dorset Artists Emergency Fund. The Crowdfund platform provides great access and support to attract investors and supporters and once eligible applicants have reached 25% of their target, Dorset LEP will commit match-funding of up to £5,000 payable when the target is met.

n Businesses and organisations interested in finding out more should visit dorsetlep.co.uk/crowdfunder. Make assets sweat to unlock productivity

Some years ago, we were building a Mayan Temple mirror maze at Port Aventura, Spain’s largest theme park. I needed to drive from Tarragona to catch a plane at Barcelona Airport, and tried to join the Autoroute. Unfortunately I misread a road sign, and found myself in heavy slow-moving traffic struggling for several kilometres from one intersection and small roundabout to the next. After what seemed an interminable age, I saw another sign for Barcelona, collected my toll ticket and joined the autoroute. Suddenly I had three lanes and a hard shoulder almost to myself, all the way to Barcelona. What was going on? This splendid autoroute had been built with EU funding, which if you want to be specific, came partly from British taxpayers to provide regional funding for the Spanish economy in particular and to help Europe prosper as a whole. That much I wholeheartedly applaud. The clue was in that toll ticket. Virtually none of the Spanish traffic could afford to use the autoroute, whether cars, vans or lorries. It’s not as if the road needed paying for, for goodness sake. It had already been paid for, and given to Spain. The Spanish economy was thus needlessly underperforming by failing to use its assets to the full. All the more reason to applaud the Severn Bridge toll arrangements I found last year on the M4 into Wales. The toll booths had disappeared without trace. The bridge has now been paid for, so no more tolls need to be collected. This is a brilliantly simple and effective way to help the Welsh economy prosper What’s true for motorway tolls is also true for businesses. What assets can we put into effective use, at little extra cost, or perhaps at no extra cost at all? What equipment and resources are lying idle and unused for most of the time? Why own equipment. when we can rent them whenever needed? Can we run the business using less of our existing premises, perhaps by installing shelves and using all those unused cubic metres towards the ceiling? If so, what else could we use that free floorspace for? My brother’s mining company in Toronto had some spare office space, and he let two freelance entrepreneurs use it for free. Later they asked him to be the chairman of their new company, and all three ended up with shareholdings in a valuable mineral mine. Open doors to others, and perhaps they will open doors for you! Make those assets sweat! n Adrian Fisher is an awardwinning maze designer in Durweston.

Business Community firm putting You First

By Karen Bate

newsdesk@blackmorevale.net Formed as a social enterprise and community interest company in 2014, You First Support Services, based in Martock, has grown exponentially and is now officially recognised as one of the leading providers for people with significant and complex needs across Somerset and surrounding areas. Formed as a social enterprise and as a Community Interest Company, You First was established from scratch with a desire to help build and grow the lives of people with autism, learning disabilities and mental illness, in ways that made sense to them and establish a workforce that felt connected and valued. Over the last seven years, You First employs more than 70 people and delivers more than 1,700 hours of support each week to some of the most vulnerable people in and outside Somerset. You First has secured hundreds of success stories over the years, enabling people to enjoy a significant range of outcomes including: n Enabling young mothers

DELIVERING SUPPORT: Andy Robinson of You First

REMOVALS & STORAGE

ARMISHAWS SMALL MOVES

Its not the size that matters it’s the way you move it! Armishaws operate a 昀eet of small removal vans throughout Dorset, Somerset and Wilshire catering for those clients who only need a small removal but still want the expertise provided by a larger removal company. With prices ranging from £300 for a local move our services are tailored to meet your needs. with learning disabilities and/or mental illness retain custody of their children and enjoy their basic human right to a family life n Supporting an individual with agoraphobia, who had not been outside his home for many years, and who has an overwhelming and debilitating fear of hospitals, attend an appointment at Yeovil District Hospital and undergo an invasive and painful procedure under local anaesthetic n Enabling a 50-year-old woman with significant autism, sensory processing disorder and bi-polar condition, who had experienced institutional abuse in another setting, rebuild her life, regain trust in people, reclaim old skills and learn new ones and become a respected member of her community n Building the confidence of a young man who had been told he would not succeed at life to a point where he took and passed his driving test and found employment and who now no longer requires support n Facilitating the move from long stay mental health hospitals to real community settings and seeing people flourish and build lives of value, worth and meaning n Building micro-teams around people who had been labelled as ‘challenging’ or ‘difficult’ and seeing people engage in college, voluntary activity, building relationships, grow as individuals and not only enjoy their community but make meaningful contributions towards it n Being aspirational for people and seeing people gain awards linked to their hobbies and interests and become proficient in key areas, for example, exhibiting photographic art Andy Robinson of You First said: “We deliver much of its support via Personal Budgets, meaning that people remain in control of their lives by retaining absolute control of their support. Many people supported require us to be with them 24 hours a day, others engage with us for just a few hours a week, but in all cases the ethos remains the same - we exist to enable people to live their best lives according to their own world view and according to their own values. “There are many, many more positive stories, stories of real people, leading real lives. This is not about You First success, it’s about people being given the space to become who they are and achieve success for themselves.”

nYou can find out more about You First at youfirst supportservices.org.uk on Facebook at youfirst supportservices, at or ring 0300 111 9999.

LOOKING TO HIRE? Advertise in the NBV: Call 01963 400186

Business Standing by with free legal and financial advice for businesses

Dorset LEP provides free legal and financial advice for businesses to trade overseas Free help is on offer to Dorset businesses who need support with international trade. To enable business growth, Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (Dorset LEP) is funding expert legal and financial advice. Dorset LEP has appointed Lester Aldridge and PKF Francis Clark to provide up to two hours of individual specialist advisory support on complex international trade matters and this is now available for businesses to take advantage of. Lorna Carver, Dorset LEP Director said: “We’ve been encouraging businesses to prepare for EU transition and signposting to the government’s CheckChange-Go campaign for some time. I “It’s become clear that there is a need for more focused support around legislation, taxation and finance for businesses trading overseas and this support will enable Dorset’s businesses to make necessary changes quickly and reduce disruption to their operations.” This support is available to all businesses in Dorset, whether they are already trading internationally, looking to enter new overseas markets or are entirely new to international trade. Businesses interested in the service can find out more about the different services on offer and complete an enquiry form at www.dorsetlep.co.uk/exportdeclarations-service Dorset LEP Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership is a business led private and public sector partnership, promoting local economic growth and prosperity. Dorset LEP deliver projects that support and develop infrastructure, housing, skills, enterprise and business growth to achieve long-term economic benefit for all in Dorset.

n For more information visit the Dorset LEP website dorsetlep.co.uk.

Jolly Elephant making jumbo impact

By Karen Bate

newsdesk@blackmorevale.net Sustainable fashion brand Jolly Elephant, based in Kingston, Sturminster Newton, has seen positive growth and increased interest from around the globe since it launched in 2019. The ethically made, carbonnegative and sustainable clothes are made from 100 per cent organic cotton and recycled materials is making a big impact on consumers who are suitably impressed that 10 per cent goes to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. A Jolly Elephant spokesperson said: “Protecting elephants and wildlife is an enormous task, and something close to our hearts. “Only together can we make a difference by preserving loving and compassionate animals and habitats from extinction. “By purchasing and wearing Jolly Elephant products, you are joining us in the fight to rescue the biodiversity of endangered habitats by preventing the effects of the ivory trade and the loss of habitats, while supporting ethical and sustainable manufacturing. “We’re a fairly small team so haven’t been impacted by lockdown restrictions as much as a larger company might. “We have been able to carry on printing, stocking, and sending our sustainable and ethically-made clothing to customers and influencers alike. “We have been able to continue using our suppliers, both local and national, and continue to arrange things like photoshoots in nearby Poole with social distancing and other covid measures in place and we have actually seen an increased interest from individuals from around the world, and are looking forward to increasing our product range – expanding into children’s clothing, which has been our most requested range of products.” Jollyelephant.com