Grow

In partnership with

I’m growing or need some help

Get support to grow and develop your ‘business for good’  or to help you tackle issues and challenges within your organisation by:

1. Choosing an Enterprise Coach to work with and get tailored advice and support for you and your organisation

2. Asking them about how to apply for a BfGWY Growth and Resilience Grant to help you get additional specialist support:

This part of the programme is delivered by national specialists Co-operatives UK and School for Socal Entrepreneurs.  Find out more about the BfGWY partners.

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Choose a Coach

We have 5 experienced Enterprise Coaches working in different parts of West Yorkshire. They will work with you to explore your ideas or challenges, develop a plan and agree goals. They can also signpost you to other parts of the BfGWY programme or other specialist support organisations.

All of the coaches are employed by BfGWY partner, Participate Projects and are hosted by Participate, Voluntary Action Leeds and TSL Kirklees.

Waj Hussain

Waj Hussain

Bradford

Email: waj@participateprojects.org.uk 

Number: 07597394837

Rob Greenland

Rob Greenland

Kirklees and Wakefield

 Usual working days: Tues, Wed and Thurs

Email: rob@participateprojects.org.uk

Number: 07470746685

Katherine Wyatt

Katherine Wyatt

Calderdale and Kirklees

Usual working days: Wed and Thurs

Email: katherine@participateprojects.org.uk

Number: 07470746720

Rachel Rickards

Rachel Rickards

Leeds

Usual working days: Tues, Wed and Thurs

Email: rachel@participateprojects.org.uk

Number: 07470746668

Paul Kilgallon

Paul Kilgallon

Leeds

 Usual working days: Thurs and Fri

Email: paul@participateprojects.org.uk

Number: 07861969159

Find out about Growth and Resilience Grants

Social enterprises, co-operatives and community businesses over 18 months old can apply for up to £2499 to:

  • Grow and create new jobs
  • Address challenges or safeguard jobs
  • Adopt new technologies, change processes or target new markets

The money can be spent on technical or professional support from a consultant or peer, including:

  • business support and consultancy
  • professional services
  • peer support from an existing West Yorkshire co-operative or social enterprise

It cannot be used for:

  • Formal academic qualifications, tuition fees and bursaries
  • Development of academic courses or curriculum
  • Funding of places on programmes, e.g. Raleigh International or Common Purpose
  • Training – unless it is in support of the project (this is at the funder’s discretion)
  • Top-up funding for an existing project
  • Any capital expenses

How To Apply

Your Enterprise Coach can help you apply.

The deadline for the next round of applications is 5pm on 5th July.

The grants panel will make decisions on 10th July and successful organisation will receive their grants the week after.

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Find out about the Growth and Resilience Programme

Running from May to October 2024, this 6-month programme developed and run by Co-operatives UK and SSE will help 20 people from existing alternative businesses grow their impact and create or safeguard jobs.  It will consist of a mixture of:

  • Online learning featuring experts and leaders from the alternative business sector
  • Action Learning Sets – smaller group work with a trained facilitator (more info can be found HERE )
  • Networking and peer support, including an in-person celebration event in October
  • Access to a wider network of support through Business for Good, West Yorkshire including specialist business coaches

    And will help people:

    • Develop the right skills to grow their organisation and/or safeguard jobs.  
    • Develop resilience and leadership skills.  
    • Develop strong peer networks of fellow entrepreneurs. 

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    How To Apply 

    This programme is now closed for applications.

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