Southern Water Business Partnership Fund

Has your business got a great idea to save water but not the funds to make it happen?

Water is a precious resource. Every year the population of the South East grows, but the amount of water available stays the same. Due to hotter summers and less rainfall, increased pressure Is put on our water supplies. If we keep consuming at our current rate, in time, demand will outstrip supply – as there’s only so much we can take from our environment.

That’s just one reason why we’re on the look out for new and innovative ideas to help reduce water use in businesses across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sussex and Kent. Can you help save a little water and make a lot of difference?

If you have an idea for a project – whether it’s harvesting rain or shower water, fitting flow restrictors on taps, harnessing new technology to save water, or anything else you can think of – we want to hear from you!Check if you’re eligible 

We encourage applications from:

• Businesses located in, and operating out of, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sussex, and Kent.
• Water retailers supplying a business in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sussex and Kent.
• Water conservation service providers supporting a business in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sussex and Kent.

Your project must meet the following criteria:

• Southern Water must supply the mains water to your business- use our Postcode Checker to find out if Southern Water is your supplier.
• It must deliver water savings in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sussex or Kent. It must save mains tap water and demonstrate a tangible, sustainable reduction in water use (litres/day saved as a result of the project) before 31 December 2024.
• You must be able to provide a monthly update once the project has launched and a full case study at the end.
  
  

Applications are now open until 31 December 2023! Find out more today!

Unique Food For Thought Event at the Aldingbourne Trust

Food4Thought is more than just a dinner, it’s an opportunity to support The Aldingbourne Trust, showcasing our home-grown hospitality talent and a chance to network with local businesses. We have teamed up with 5 of the Chefs from the well-known Kitchen Impossible with Michel Roux series and working alongside the people we support, they will create this magical informative evening, and offer the opportunity to build confidence while gaining the skills they need to get into paid employment.

You’ll get the chance to see Supported Employment and job carving in action and hear more about how we could support your business, too.

For £45 per person, you can enjoy a Prosecco reception, three-course fine-dining meal, network with others, and contribute to making a difference to people with learning disabilities and autism. It will be such a unique dinner event and tables of 2 - 10 people are available, if you would like more information and to book, here is a direct link: www.aldingbournetrust.org/food4thought

You can download more information including the menu here

Local Training Company offer Chamber Members exclusive discount!

BPM Training & Medical Services Ltd would like to introduce their comprehensive range of workplace first aid training courses. They're dedicated to enhancing workplace health and safety through accessible first aid training.

As you know, first aid training is vital for emergency situations. Their courses cater to businesses of all sizes, provided on-site or at their training facility. Taught by certified instructors, they offer a variety of courses:

·         Basic First Aid

·         CPR and AED Training

·         Emergency First Aid at Work

·         Paediatric First Aid

·         First Aid at Work

You can see a full list of courses here Information sheet.pdf

They customize training plans to align with your business needs and offer cost-effective options, including group discounts. Additionally, they provide resources for post-course skill maintenance and improvement.

"We are offering members of the chamber a 10% discount for the first 20 organisations that book a course by the 28^th February 2024."

If you have questions or wish to book a training course, please don't hesitate to contact Bill Welsh - Training Director

M: 07396 703342
T: 01903 442327

Local Photographer wins most passionate photographer 2023!

Anja Poehlmann Photo & Film is a photographer and filmmaker for small businesses and families. She has recently won two awards! In the Southern Enterprise Awards she won "Most Passionate Photographer 2023(South Coast)" 

Also one of her photographs has been awarded by the Family Photojournalist Association, you can see the full list here 

FPJA documentary family photographers are the best in the industry and know that their images are judged by the most notable and respected working newspaper photojournalists and picture editors in the news industry. Winning an award in these competitions is a true accomplishment!

"My main goal with all my work is to instill confidence in my clients: in families by showing up as their real selves in photos that will help children grow up knowing where they belong and in small businesses to show up authentically to their audience to build real connections with those they want to serve.

I also offer business portraits for bigger corporations that don't look like the standard headshot. By taking time to portray my clients, I help companies present themselves confidently using their employees personalities."

www.anjapoehlmann.com

Ukrainian Culture Day at Worthing Museum 

Worthing Museum and Worthing Ukrainian Friends’ network charity are delighted to invite you to participate in the Ukrainian Culture Day at Worthing Museum on 25 November, Saturday, from 10.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.

Experience a day filled with Ukrainian culture!

The event is FREE due to the generosity of Worthing Lions.
However, you must book to attend workshops Here is a timeline for the day:
10. 30 greeting words by the museum and Worthing Ukrainian Friends network charity teams.
10.45 - 11.30 Sing along to traditional Ukrainian Christmas carols with a Ukrainian voices choir from Brighton.
From 11.30 - 11.50 be prepared to learn a few dance moves with AUSA Folk Dance Group - Ї.
Yaroslava Matvieienko will start her interactive lecture about Ukrainian art, culture, and traditions at noon.
From 11 a.m.-1 p.m., our exhibition curator Irma Latsanych will create with you Angel Christmas decorations.
1.30 - 2.30 p.m. a time for candle making workshop with Yaroslava
3.00 – 4.20 p.m. The day will be complete with the documentary
“Borsch: The Secret Ingredient” screening while you enjoy traditional Christmas Ukrainian snacks.

Address: Chapel Rd, Worthing BN11 1HP

RSVP by Thursday, November 23 to iaroslavamatvieienko@gmail.com

The University of Chichester is launching a brand new Degree Apprenticeships programme - Accounting Finance Manager

This three year apprenticeship programme will give a firm grounding in the principles of accountancy, business finance, auditing and taxation, enabling the management and implementation of processes and systems. The apprenticeship aligns with Institute of Financial Accountants for Intermediate Level. The fact that this apprenticeship aligns with Institute of Financial Accountants for Intermediate Level means that learners can apply for an exemption from the ACCA, ICAEW or CIMA if they wish to pursue a professional qualification as a qualified accountant.

Apprentices will study modules aligned to six main topics:

•  Accounting (financial and management accounting)
• Taxation
• Operations and strategic management
• Finance
• Information systems
• Auditing

The modules delivered will be organised as outlined below:

The Accounting Finance Manager apprenticeship is a part-time programme designed specifically to cater for the needs of employees working in the accounts/finance department of an organisation or a professional accountancy firm. The broad purpose of the occupation is to manage and implement accounting, finance systems and processes that support decision-making in-line with strategy by applying technical and technological knowledge and skills to all aspects of accounting and finance within their organisation. 

The programme aims to equip degree apprentices to understand the nature of the organisations in which they work, the roles they are called upon to play, and how they might enhance their own performance in pursuit of their chosen careers. Therefore, the Accounting Finance Manager apprenticeship offers a mix of academic and vocational/professional study that encourages apprentices to develop within their work environment and to be reflective, lifelong learners whilst embedding employability throughout the programme delivery. On successful completion apprentices are awarded a BA (Hons) Accounting Finance Manager Degree.

The University of Chichester is planning to launch this apprenticeship programme in February 2024. The programme can be funded through the apprenticeship levy, or can be co-funded between the employer and the government. Most small and medium-sized businesses will pay only 5% of the cost of the programme.

The University is looking to gauge the initial level of interest in this programme prior to its formal launch in the New Year.

If you are interested in finding out more about this programme please contact Andrew Adams, Business Development Manager at the University of Chichester (a.adams@chi.ac.uk), the University’s Apprenticeships team at apprenticeships@chi.ac.uk or by calling 01243 816000.

Safe in Sussex 2024 Training Program

In-person, interactive and informative training courses for professionals, businesses, and the wider community to help develop awareness and understanding of domestic abuse and the impact it has.

Understanding Domestic Abuse – A Dynamic Approach

An engaging and interactive training course to increase and develop awareness and understanding of domestic abuse.

• Tuesday 16th January 2024, 10am-1pm, Worthing (10 places available)

• Thursday 25th January 2024, 1pm-4pm, Worthing (10 places available)

• Thursday 28th March 2024, 10am-1pm, Angmering (20 places available)

Adverse Childhood Experiences – How Heavy is Your Backpack?

This course is an interactive and informative workshop based session. It will enable the attendees to have more of an understanding of adverse childhood experiences, the impact on children/young people and adults that are experiencing or have experienced ACE’s and how to support an individual.

• Wednesday 14th February 2024, 10am-1pm, Angmering (20 places available)

• Tuesday 5th March 2024, 12.30pm-3.30pm, Angmering (20 places available)

Understanding Coercive and Controlling Behaviour – The Invisible Pain

This course is an interactive and informative workshop based session. It will enable the attendees to have more of an understanding of coercive control, the impact on individuals experiencing coercive control, how to support an individual, guidance on safety planning and signposting to professional services.

• Thursday 15th February 2024, 10am-1pm, Angmering (20 places available)

To book visit their website https://www.safeinsussex.co.uk/training/

Top tips to protect your charity from fraud

Does the cost-of-living crisis heighten the risk of fraud for charities?

It was a question posed by Sussex and South East accountancy firm, Carpenter Box,  at a recent Not for Profit Workshop, given that financial fraud within UK charities has previously been estimated by the National Fraud Authority at around £1.3bn.  

To coincide with Charity Fraud Awareness Week (27^th November – 1^st December), the firm, which has offices in Worthing, Gatwick, Brighton, Chichester and London, suggests the following steps to mitigate the risk of fraud:

·         Develop and publish a clear zero tolerance fraud policy supported by senior management and circulated to all staff and volunteers.

·         Have a clear whistleblowing process in place to encourage staff to report any potentially fraudulent activity anonymously.

·         Undertake regular risk assessments, internal audit reviews and account reconciliations.

·         Ensure financial processes and controls are strictly observed and insist on supporting documentation before paying invoices or expenses.

·         Verify payment requests and don’t permit the sharing of passwords or passcodes.

·         Undertake comprehensive induction training and due diligence for all new staff, as well as getting to know them well. When staff or volunteers leave, take back any IT equipment that belongs to the charity and change relevant passcodes.

·         Pay close attention to financial information, monitor MI and follow-up on any unusual expenses/trends.

Robin Evans, Carpenter Box Partner and head of the Not-for-Profit team, commented: “Critically, should any potential fraud be detected, charities need to have a clear plan in place that allows for rapid action to minimise any loss and recover funds.

“Of course, beyond financial risks, fraud can also lead to reputational damage, impact on donations and affect staff morale, not to mention the considerable time and cost of investigation and any subsequent disciplinary or legal procedures. For all these reasons, it’s imperative to create a secure operating environment and disseminate relevant policies and procedures across the organisation.”

www.carpenterbox.com

Lancing Prep Worthing launches its new Aspire Programme

At Lancing Prep Worthing, we endeavour to provide every pupil with the support and opportunities needed to enable them to reach their challenging targets and to fulfil their potential. That’s why we are so excited to announce the launch of the Aspire Programme, set at raising ambitions across the school with the aspiration to help every child succeed. 

The programme is led by Melody Bridges, Head of Humanities & Able, Gifted & Talented Events Co-Ordinator.  She believes “every teacher needs to know how to recognise and teach the gifted and talented, and to be familiar with the techniques for creating high levels of intellectual challenge in their curriculum area. They also need to offer or facilitate access to opportunities for students to excel in broader intellectual pursuits, sports and the arts.” To this end there will be the development of new opportunities both within the school and access to new opportunities outside of the school too.

At Lancing Prep Worthing, we already have excellent students who are achieving at a high level across different subjects and these are identified by our regular monitoring and termly check ins, alongside dialogue with curriculum leads and classroom teachers. As pupils pass through each year we aim to provide them with stimulating experiences that broaden and deepen their subject knowledge and ensure they remain highly engaged and focussed on excelling. 

The Aspire Programme will be run in two parts – work outside of the school and work inside the school.  Inside school the programme will be focused on the new AGT policy, increased competitions by age and subject, linking up with reputable names locally, nationally, and internationally, increasing afterschool learning, inviting inspirational speakers into the school, and the joining of NACE (National Association for Able Children in Education). 

Away from school, we will be partnering with local schools, supporting local educational networks and groups, organising special topic days, and increasing activities with other schools. We are also looking at enhancing CPD opportunities for staff too so that they are using the latest resources and teaching methods for the benefit of every pupil. Aspire is about every student and teacher feeling that we are reaching together towards more ambitious goals both for individuals and as a community. 

Aspire: Raising Ambitions across the School