Member Section News Extra More news from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce


Charity launches outreach project


Steps To Work, the charitable training provider and employability skills specialists, has announced the launch of Black Country Futures, an outreach project funded by The National Lottery Community Fund to help residents across the region overcome barriers and move closer to employment. Providing support to those


aged 16 and above, the Walsall firm’s project aims to raise aspirations, develop personal and employability skills, and improve the economic stability of participants, enabling them to achieve their true potential. Through a collaborative


approach with 14 specialist delivery partners, Black Country Futures will offer holistic support services that meet the specific needs and requirements of individual participants. This will include individuals


aged 50+; members of the BAME community; refugees; migrants; people with mental and physical health issues, as well as hearing impairments; ex-offenders; lone parents; care leavers; the long-term unemployed; people at risk of redundancy or on zero hour contracts; and those who are unable to access support elsewhere, and are therefore at risk of fuel and food poverty. Bhanu Dhir (pictured), managing director of lead delivery partner Steps To Work, commented: “We position people at the heart of everything we do and firmly believe that those who face the biggest barriers to engaging with the fruits of the economy deserve the most help to build a brighter future.” Black Country Futures is


funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. For more information visit www.stepstowork.co.uk/black- country-futures6


66 CHAMBERLINK June/July 2020


Health and safety is the top concern of businesses


Health and safety is the most pressing concern among businesses emerging from lockdown, according to the latest poll undertaken by Dains Accountants and other members of the UK’s leading legal and accounting membership group, the UK200Group. The survey of 550 SME clients shows 276 are


concerned about health and safety, 249 about cash flow and 223 about getting clients to buy. Managing partner Richard McNeilly says: “It’s the


uncertainty of reopening a business, with all the related complexities that it entails, that businesses are worried about now. “They are confident about how to get their basic


operations back up and running, but need clarity about how they should be protecting employees and customers, and getting customers to buy from them. It is also important to note that while the extension to furlough funding is plainly welcome, the longer businesses remain closed the higher the chance of them not surviving. “The Government has provided useful guidance, but


the onus on businesses and employers is significantly increased. SMEs have indicated through this poll that they need more guidance about how it will impact them and how they will be measured. This ranges from using PPE to managing social distancing in environments that were not designed for pandemics. “The survey also shows that while wrongful trading


provisions have been temporarily suspended, the practical aspects of the challenge to manage cashflow remain, as does the imperative to keep customers happy, maintain furloughed and retained staff morale


Business challenges: Richard McNeilly


and being fair to suppliers, including agreeing stage payments to them if required. Businesses are also weighing up the issues involved


in seeking legal redress when not being paid for services, and the need to consider protective claims through the courts, as and when they reopen.”


A copy of the results can be found at: www.dains.com/ assets/downloadable/SMEPollResults.pdf


An opportunity to boost skills


Former medical lab-assistant Lisa Novenstern is training with Witton Lodge Community Association to boost her aspirations for a career as an outreach worker. Born and bred in Germany, Lisa


moved to England in 2018 determined to put her passion for people to good use. The 57-year-old mother-of-four


arrived here with an impressive CV having also gleaned experience as a teaching and library assistant, private language tutor and end-of- life carer. She said: “Though I’d gained


plenty of experience and skills over the years, when I came to England I arrived with no certificates or diplomas.” Lisa re-married and found


employment as a housekeeper and receptionist. However, a restricting physical condition meant she was unable to continue in the role. That is


Evolving: Afzal Hussain


when she first knocked on the Witton Lodge door in Perry Common. “When my ailments made my job


unbearable, I visited Witton Lodge Community Association for consultation,” she said. “It was following these


discussions that Witton Lodge offered me some formal training and a volunteering role with their organisation. The focus of the role is


remote working via digital platforms such as Zoom, What’s App and Facebook to support local residents during the lockdown period. I am very confident that this training, combined with the invaluable work experience as a volunteer, will support my ambitions for the future.” Afzal Hussain, chief officer at


Witton Lodge Community Association, said: “During these unprecedented times, alongside keeping residents safe, we are committed to supporting those who are looking for work to learn new skills, gain new experience and find suitable employment. This will become increasingly important in the coming months as the effect of Covid-19 on the economy becomes clearer.”


Visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk or call 0121 382 1930.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72