Last July, 12 students from Welland Park Academy gained valuable insights from local micro-businesses. Now, it’s Lutterworth College’s turn!

➡️This June, 12 Year 12 students will:
Build communication skills, run their own event, and take part in real-life networking — all hosted at Magna Park Estate Office and organised by The Business Hub Work Experience™ from 9–13 June 2025.

You can support them by attending the student networking event which they will organise:
🗓 Thursday 12th June
🕐 1.15pm – 2.30pm
📍 Magna Park Estate Office
☕️ FREE coffee and cake!

No prep needed for the networking— just turn up and chat.

Contact Nicola Moss for more information.

Healthy Workplaces Leicestershire is offering training to support people in the workplace. Two upcoming courses are available:

Mental Health First Aid Training

📅 3–5 Jun 2025
💻 Microsoft Teams
💷 £195

Become a certified Mental Health First Aider – learn to spot signs, offer support, and promote mental wellbeing.

Workplace Health Champion Relaunch

📅 26–27 Jun 2025
💻 Microsoft Teams
💷 Free

Motivate colleagues, encourage healthy lifestyles, and signpost support services.

Local businesses can now apply to host a De Montfort University Graduate Champion intern for  six weeks this summer — fully funded!

🌟 Why Take Part?

💼 Gain fresh talent and new ideas
🧠 Interns work 111 hours from 18 Aug – 26 Sept 2025
🔗 Matched to your business through a tailored process
📈 Many hosts go on to hire their intern long-term

📅 Apply by Friday 30 May 2025

Are you dealing with absence issues?
Staff not quite performing?
Do you have questions about the Employment Rights Bill?

🕘 Free 1:1 expert advice
⏰ 09:00–12:00 & 14:00–17:00
Participants can book a 30-minute session via Calendly.

Free Lunchtime Workshop

🕧 12:30–13:15
Attendees are invited to bring lunch and join a “lunch and learn” session to improve delegation skills.

📅 Thursday 26 June
📍 Harborough Innovation Centre, LE16 7WB

📲 Sign up using the QR code on the poster.

Bridgewater Home Care & Empatia Dementia Specialist Coaching are proud to host a “Living Well at Home” event — in partnership with Dementia Harborough, Age UK, Welland Valley Legal, Rainbows Day Care, Cross Counties Healthcare, VASL and more.

📅 Wednesday 21 May
🕥 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
📍 Jubilee Hall, Congregational Church, Market Harborough, LE16 7AF

✅ Free drop-in – no booking needed
🧠 Learn about dementia and age-related support
🤝 Connect with professionals and local services
💬 Discover resources and activities in your area
🍰 Enjoy free cake and refreshments!

🏛 Grants of £500–£2,000 now available for projects that support and celebrate local heritage, culture, and identity through events and activities in Harborough District.

🗓 Apply by 12 noon, 11 August 2025
💷 Revenue-only funding – no match funding required
📍 Open to heritage organisations, charities, and event providers

🏢Suitable for venues hosting Heritage Open Days (12-21 September 2025)
✅ Funding for new or enhanced public participation events
💡 Paid on approval – perfect for summer/autumn programming

Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, helping boost local pride in place and community engagement.

Plans are shaping up for the first 🍽️ Food & Drink Fortnight, running across Harborough District from 📅 28 June to 12 July.

We’re celebrating local flavours and great places to eat and drink — with 🌟 special offers, set menus, pop-ups, and collaborations to enjoy!

To join in, please email the following details to 📧 business@harborough.gov.uk by Friday 13 June :

📅 Date
📝 Event / Menu / Collaboration Name
📍 Location
📖 Details (one short paragraph)
🔗 Website link
📧 Your email address
🖼️ One JPEG/PNG image (1920 x 1080 or 16:9 ratio)

Businesses must have a minimum 4 star food hygiene rating, be local and independently run. National chains are excluded.    

🎪 Harborough District Council is offering £500–£2,000 grants to support new or existing public events and activities that boost community participation and the local economy.

🗓 Apply from 12 May – 11 Aug 2025 (12 noon)
💷 Revenue-only funding (no match required)
📍 Open to visitor event providers in Harborough District
✅ Paid on approval

Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, part of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda.

Pop into the informal Business Advice Clinic  on the first  Tuesday of each month, 10am–3pm at Harborough Innovation Centre, LE16 7WB for expert guidance on:

💼 Business support

👥 Recruitment

💰 Grants & funding

🎓 Training opportunities

🧑‍🏫 Apprenticeships

🏢 Finding new premises

No booking needed – just drop in!

Over £200,000 available for 2025/26

Harborough District Council is inviting applications for the Harborough Rural Business Grant Fund, supported by the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).

🗓 Apply from 12 May 2025 | 💷 £5,000–£20,000 grants | 🤝 25% match funding required

💡 Funding focus includes:
✅ Farm diversification, innovation and business growth
✅ Green tech, rural tourism and creative heritage projects

🏗 For capital projects only (e.g. equipment, buildings, infrastructure)

This initiative is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, supporting communities, local businesses, and skills across the UK.
🗓 Deadline: 30 June 2025

Harborough District Council is offering tailored one-to-one support to help local businesses start, grow, and succeed — completely free!

💼 What’s Included

📋 One-to-one business advice sessions
📣 Help with planning, marketing, and funding
🚀 Support for start-ups, scale-ups, and SMEs
🎟️ Access to workshops, events, and innovation hubs
🏢 Guidance on premises, skills, and sustainability
💻 In-person and virtual support options

👥 Who Can Apply

💡 Entrepreneurs with a new idea
🌱 Early-stage start-ups
🏭 Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)
📈 Local businesses looking to grow or innovate

AI is reshaping business — and those who act now are gaining the edge. Join a free initiative by Business Gateway Growth Hub and Code Institute to assess your organisation’s AI readiness.

🌟 What You’ll Gain

📈 Insights into your AI maturity
🎓 Tools to apply the AI Maturity Framework
🔍 Clarity on your team’s AI skills needs
💡 Influence regional skills and funding strategies

🛠️ What’s Involved

📝 Complete a readiness survey
👥 Attend two expert-led workshops

Empowering SMBs: M365, Security & Copilot
📅 Tue 3 June | 🕚 11:00–12:00
Discover how Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Chat can support your business with AI and security fundamentals.

Transform Your Business with Copilot & Agents
📅 Tue 17 June | 🕚 11:00–12:00
Explore real-world use cases and practical tips for integrating AI into your business.

Modern Accessibility: Build an Inclusive Digital Strategy
📅 Tue 24 June | 🕚 11:00–12:00
Learn how to make your business more inclusive using built-in tech features for diverse needs.

Find out more about other FSB events below.

The British Business Bank has launched the Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS), unlocking £500 million in lending to support small businesses across the UK.

🔑 Key Features

💷 Up to £2M per business group (£1M under NI Protocol)
🛠️ Covers loans, overdrafts, asset and invoice finance
⏳ Terms from 3 months to 6 years
🛡️ 70% government guarantee to improve loan terms

📈 Who Can Apply?

UK-based businesses with turnover up to £45M, excluding those in financial difficulty.

This scheme helps businesses manage cashflow and invest in growth — especially amid global tariff changes.

Harborough Innovation Centre
🗓️ Wednesday 5 June 2025
📍 Hallaton Room | 🕤 9:30am – 4:00pm

Join Sarah Allen, ISO and Data Privacy Coach, for a friendly, informal session covering:
🔐 ISO standards
📄 GDPR and data privacy
📑 Tender prep and audits
⚙️ Improving internal systems

💬 Get Involved:
📅 Book a free 30-min one-to-one
🚪 Or Drop in between 12:30pm – 1:30pm – no booking needed!

📍 Harborough Innovation Centre
📅 Wednesday 11 June 2025 | 🕤 9:30am – 3:30pm

Join Harborough District Council and Greener Futures Leicestershire for a day of expert advice and hands-on workshops to help you kickstart or grow your sustainability journey.

🔍 Topics include:
✅ Sustainability reporting and legal requirements
✅ Calculating your carbon footprint
✅ Finding funding opportunities
✅ Reducing digital environmental impact
✅ Using green credentials to boost tourism

🥗 Free lunch provided
🤝 Networking opportunities
🏆 Work towards a sustainability recognition award

📢 Open to all businesses in the Harborough District  – part of Great Big Green Week!

Places are limited to two people per organisation (please fill in a separate form for each attendee).

The National Sustainability Awards 2025 are now open for entries! This is your chance to showcase how your organisation is driving innovation and impact for a greener future.

Why Enter?

🌱 Celebrate sustainability success
💡 Share best practices across sectors
🔍 Highlight leadership in post-pandemic recovery
📣 Inspire others with your story

📅 Deadline: 06 June 2025

📲 Follow for updates: @NatSustainNews
🏷️ Use the hashtag: #NationalSustainabilityAwards