Business Archives - sba Communities

May

16

2025

Sue and Heather visit the Houses of Parliament!

On the 14th May, Sue and Heather were thrilled to attend the Communities that Work annual parliamentary reception at the Houses of Parliament.Hosted by MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, the event featured insightful discussions with Alison McGovern MP, Minister for Employment, and Debbie Abrahams MP from the Work and Pensions Select Committee. They shared their ideas and aspirations for reducing unemployment and supporting long-term unemployed individuals in returning to work.SBA is pleased to be aligned with this agenda through our focused programmes, GAP and the Community Employment Hubs, which Heather and Sue lead. These initiatives have successfully assisted many individuals in Somerset…

Mar

13

2025

SBA launch UKSPF Connecting to the workplace at Topline Glass in Ilminster

Residents of Somerset can look towards a brighter future with the launch of SBA’s ground-breaking Employer Surgeries. Designed to bring job seekers and local businesses together in a relaxed, informal manner, the inaugural event was held at Topline Glass and Glazing Ltd in Ilminster in March. The ‘Connecting to the Workplace’ initiative aims to reach out to anyone who may be struggling with unemployment or searching for a new career path. Whether due to illness, inexperience, or isolation the premises-based ‘surgeries’ support and guide residents by introducing them to businesses and professional areas that they may not have thought of…

Feb

28

2025

Jobs fair season 2025 has arrived!

The 2025 job fair season is officially underway, and our team was thrilled to attend the first event in Taunton yesterday! This fantastic event brought together job seekers and employers from across the region. Heather, Sue, and Natasha were on hand to connect with attendees and tell them all about our fantastic GAP programme. It was a great success, with a fantastic turnout and plenty of exciting job prospects for those looking to take the next step in their careers. Next up, we’ll be heading to the Bridgwater Jobs Fair on Thursday, 27th March at the Canalside Conference Centre. With…

Jan

20

2025

SBA Christmas celebration: sweet success at our team chocolate making workshop!

This year’s SBA team Christmas get-together was all about creativity, teamwork, and, of course, chocolate! The team swapped spreadsheets for spatulas and got hands-on in a festive chocolate-making workshop. We crafted our own delicious treats—some more picture-perfect than others! The workshop was a fantastic way to unwind, bond, and embrace the holiday spirit. A huge thank you to everyone who joined in the fun, and Nettie from Craft House Chocolate. Wishing you all a sweet and successful year ahead!

Nov

19

2024

CHOMP: Empowering young entrepreneurs with a fresh wave of support

We are thrilled to announce that we have been recommissioned to launch CHOMP, a dynamic programme designed to support young, disengaged individuals in becoming successful entrepreneurs and business owners. Originally the brainchild of Patricia Marks, CEO of SBA CIC, the initiative was given its catchy name—CHOMP: Get Your Teeth Into Business—by her grandson Noah. Following a highly successful pilot commissioned by Caroline Derrick at Sedgemoor District Council, now part of Somerset Council, CHOMP is set to expand with the backing of the National Lottery Awards For All Fund. This crucial funding will allow us to further our mission of equipping…

Oct

24

2024

SBA and All Hearts strengthen collaboration for future projects

In October 2024, the SBA team visited Singapore to strengthen our partnership with All Hearts Pte Ltd, a leading provider of corporate and WSQ Certified training programs. This visit marks an important step in our ongoing collaboration, as we explore new opportunities to work together on impactful initiatives, including Clarity4D—a personality profiling tool designed to enhance communication, self-awareness, and team development. During our visit, we had the opportunity to observe All Hearts in action at their work camp activity, gaining valuable insight into their hands-on approach to personal and professional development. This experience reinforced our appreciation for their dedication to…

Sep

18

2024

Patricia Marks honoured with Winston Churchill fellowship silver medal in London

Patricia Marks, CEO of SBA CIC, has been awarded the prestigious Winston Churchill Fellowship Silver Medal in London, a recognition of her outstanding contributions to economic development and social enterprise. This accolade celebrates Patricia’s dedication to empowering individuals through education, enterprise, and employment, as well as the impactful findings from her Churchill Fellowship journey. Having secured her Winston Churchill Fellowship in 2017, Patricia embarked on a research tour across Australia and the United States in 2018 and 2019. Her study, titled Education, Enterprise, and Employment – Individual Journeys Back to Economic Activity, focused on identifying best practices for supporting individuals…

Sep

16

2024

Launch of Community Employment Hubs

SBA CIC supports the launching of four New Community Employment Hubs across Somerset Four new community employment hubs have been launched in partnership with Somerset Council as part of their on-going strategy, in Chard, Shepton Mallet, Yeovil, and Glastonbury. The Hubs are dedicated to providing targeted support and resources for individuals seeking employment. With a focus on personalised assistance and skills development, these hubs are designed to empower job seekers at every stage of their career journey. Building on the success of Employment Hubs already operating in other parts of Somerset, these new centres expand the reach of our services, ensuring…

Sep

10

2024

SBA CIC turns 14 with a bang!

This year marks 14 incredible years of empowering businesses and entrepreneurs! To celebrate, the team stepped outside their comfort zone and took aim at a unique challenge: rifle shooting! Swapping boardrooms for bullseyes, the team embraced the activity with enthusiasm, proving that SBA’s drive for excellence extends beyond business. The day was filled with laughter, friendly competition, and a few surprising sharpshooters! A huge thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey.

Aug

23

2024

SBA CIC secures NatWest partnership

SBA CIC is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with the NatWest Regional Partner Enterprise Initiative, securing vital support that will allow the SBA Start-Up Programme to continue running into 2025. This collaboration strengthens SBA’s ability to provide high-quality business start-up support to aspiring entrepreneurs, ensuring even more individuals have access to the guidance and resources they need to turn their ideas into successful ventures. Through this partnership, SBA CIC can now widen participation beyond Somerset, offering fully funded start-up support to individuals across the South West. This expansion will enable more budding business owners to gain the skills,…