Issue 84

25 June 2024

Start a business with no money and no business plan

Our Newham Business and Enterprise has commissioned The Rebel Business School to help you launch or expand your enterprise. The Rebel Business School returns for its final session in Newham starting next Monday (1 July), offering advice on launching your business centred around your passion. They encourage proactive steps and can aid the expansion of your enterprise, without the burden of debt or the need for a conventional business plan.

Here's the feedback from Michael Dinh Ho, an entrepreneur from Newham: "Rebel has enabled me to accomplish precisely what they aim for launching a business without requiring funds or banks, thus removing the risk from entrepreneurship through clear, actionable steps. And the greatest part is that it's free, meaning you have everything to gain and nothing to lose!"

To register for the upcoming course:

You can now access the latest health and wellbeing information, as well as details of more than 100 local support services, in one helpful booklet! The 5 Ways to a Healthier Life tool has been created by us, in partnership with the NHS, to help support your health and wellbeing. The booklet provides details on a range of topics, including the Well Newham approach, support for your physical and mental health, financial guidance and tips on how to maintain a healthy home. You can pick up a printed copy at one of our Well Newham Hubs.

For more information, and to view the online copy:

Newham Business Conference 2024 will feature guest speaker presentations, panel discussions, exhibitor opportunities, and opportunities for networking and sharing ideas around the core themes of Culture, Commerce, and Community. 

For more information and to book your tickets:

London Resilient Forum's business networks survey

Businesses play a vital role in local communities, and we know that they have risen to the challenge during previous emergencies to support first responders and communities. We have also seen businesses demonstrate their own resilience to incidents in recent years. Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) are multi-agency partnerships including police, fire, ambulance, local authorities, and other agencies responsible for commissioning this survey in order to explore how they can best work with business networks to make their local areas more resilient.

This short survey is for representatives from any business or enterprise network/ group.

For more information:

Calling all makers, sellers, and entrepreneurs in Custom House and Canning Town!

Two new community hubs, Grow Box in Canning Town and Custom Made in Custom House, facilitated by make: good and Meanwhile Space on behalf of the Council, are seeking makers, bakers, cooks, creatives, artists, authors, workshop facilitators, or anyone with a special skill set to share with the community as part of a paid opportunity.

Both spaces are looking to be operational from July and welcome applications from local organisations and people who could facilitate and contribute to the on-going programming. 

If you or anyone you know has an idea, a skill, a business, or an activity you’d like to showcase at either of the spaces, please complete our Expression of Interest form:

Business & Enterprise Road Show

Tuesday 2 July – 10am-4pm

Expressway, E16

Engage with our Business & Enterprise team to explore how we can assist in turning your vision into a reality. If you're a resident of Newham or someone who already own's their business looking to scale up, come and see us. Our Expert Business Coach will be on hand to offer their expertise for starting a business, including market research, competitor assessment, and business plan preparation. 

For more information:

If you want to take up the offer of joining the Federation of Small Business at a preferential rate:

Grow London Locals Coffee Friday

Friday 12 July – 10-11:30am

Unit Six Café – Stratford

Grow London Local hosts Coffee Fridays, every month across London, and for its next session, it will be coming to Unit Six Café – 6 The East Mall London E15. The free in-person sessions provide knowledge sharing, networking opportunities, and the opportunity to access tailored support to grow your business. 

For more information:

Funding News

The Neighbourhood Small Grants programme offers grants between £500 and £1000 to not-for-profit organisations in Newham including voluntary, community and faith organisations, aiming to empower and make positive changes in local neighbourhoods, supporting small, emerging community groups.

The grant programme is now accepting applications, and will close on Sunday 28 July at 11pm.

For more information:

Save the Date!

Ageing Well Festival 2024

Newham’s free Ageing Well Festival will be held on Saturday 5 October. Please join us to celebrate International Day of Older Persons. Everything will be FREE including all activities, entertainment and international food. The celebration forms part of our wider Ageing Well strategy, aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of Newham residents aged 50+, while also reducing health inequalities. The event will be held at Forest Gate Community School from 10am-4pm.

For more information:

Events and exhibitions

Webinars

Google Digital Garage: Stratford

Friday 28 June – 10am-3pm

Stratford Hub 259 High Street– Stratford

Google Digital Garage, one of Google's flagship programme, is coming to Stratford to offer free digital skills training and mentoring for individuals and businesses.

For more information:

Business Financial Crime and Fraud Awareness

Wednesday 10 July – 1-2pm

Online

Join Zara O'Sullivan and Tom Reynolds at Barclays for business related financial crime awareness, fraud awareness, and go through live examples of impersonation fraud, and ask questions to protect your business.

For more information and to register: