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Growth

Introduction

The 10-year Gloucestershire Economic Strategy, covering the period up to 2035, outlines the county’s existing strengths, opportunities and challenges, and provides a clear statement of intent for Gloucestershire – which is to achieve greener and inclusive economic growth that delivers a stronger, more sustainable, economy, and sets on the journey to achieve a new Gloucestershire 2050 Vision.

You can access the Economic Strategy here: Gloucestershire’s Economic Strategy (2024-2034) | Gloucestershire County Council

These documents were developed in parallel with a detailed analysis of Gloucestershire’s economy: Gloucestershire Evidence Base (2023) Executive Summary

The full evidence base can be viewed here: Overview | Inform Gloucestershire

It is important that skills, training and education are directly linked to the future jobs being created. We want to ensure that growth is sustainable and supports development of green skills and jobs.

The specific Social Value TOMs we want your help in achieving and how we will help you with this

Outcome 1: Building diverse and sustainable supply chains
Ref Measure Unit
NT14 Spend with VCSEs in the supply chain £
NT18 Spend with local companies in the supply chain £
NT19 Spend with local SMEs in the supply chain £

Gloucestershire’s economic strategy emphasizes sustainable economic growth, and in particular, developing the local economy. In additional to employing local staff, bidders are encouraged to seek local suppliers, particular local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). 

You can find out more about the local VCSE sector via Gloucestershire VCS Alliance.

Outcome 1: Building diverse and sustainable supply chains
Ref Measure Unit
NT14 Spend with VCSEs in the supply chain £
NT18 Spend with local companies in the supply chain £
NT19 Spend with local SMEs in the supply chain £

Gloucestershire’s economic strategy emphasizes sustainable economic growth, and in particular, developing the local economy. In additional to employing local staff, bidders are encouraged to seek local suppliers, particular local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). 

You can find out more about the local VCSE sector via Gloucestershire VCS Alliance.

Outcome 2: Promoting a diverse and resilient business community
Ref Measure Unit
NT15 Expert support to VCSEs and SMEs no. staff expert hours
NT15a Expert support to VCSEs and SMEs to achieve net zero carbon no. staff expert hours
NT16 Support for VCSEs through donations £ invested
NT17 Support for VCSEs through volunteering no. staff volunteering hours

Relevant background and sources of information

Visit our page on whatimpact’s National Social Value Marketplace to find opportunities to partner with local VCSEs. 

Gloucestershire VCS Alliance is an independent infrastructure organisation which supports and represents voluntary and community organisations and works with statutory partners.

Operating county-wide, its membership draws organisations from every area of the county and covering every theme. It communicates across the sector via a series of news bulletins. It undertakes research alongside and can provide information about the VCSE sector as well as connecting your business to VCSE organisations that would benefit from your business advice (NT15) or staff donating voluntary hours (NT17).

The VCS Alliance has also developed two interactive data dashboards which allow you to find registered charities and Community Interest Companies within the county:

Gloucestershire Community Foundation has been strengthening communities in Gloucestershire for over 30 years. Over the last four years alone, they have provided more than £3.5 million in grant funding via more than 1000 grant applications, to more than 450 community organisations in Gloucestershire.

Organisations looking to offer expert business advice (NT15) can register for GCF's INVEST Programme which connects businesses with local voluntary and community groups to share their skills, professional advice and services, and help to strengthen the vital services that they deliver for our local communities.

Go Volunteer Glos is the digital home for volunteering in Gloucestershire. The organisation supports VCSE organisations advertise volunteering opportunities and recruit volunteers. It also specialises in helping business effectively realise their Employer Supported Volunteering initiatives including Trusteeship. Please contact Go Volunteer Glos to explore how, where and when your staff could volunteer for Gloucestershire VCSE organisations to help you achieve NT17.

The Know Your Patch initiative is a network of organisations in each district in the county. These networks meet regularly for networking and to also communicate through email bulletins. They help to connect VCSE and statutory organisations for effective partnership working.

Growth Hubs

The Growth Hub Gloucestershire provides an unrivalled combination of independent business advice, training events, and online resources to Gloucestershire based businesses. Fully funded by the UK Government and strategic partners, it’s the only Growth Hub in the country to offer core services at a district level - with expert teams of Business Navigators (Advisors), dedicated to business and economic growth, located across the county.

For bidders and suppliers who want to provide expert business advice (NT15) to local MSMEs, there are a number of ways you can partner with The Growth Hub:

  • Become an Appointed Delivery Partner and upskill local entrepreneurs and business owners through topical Workshops and 1-2-1 Training Events, in person or online.
  • Join The Growth Hub Mentor Programme and use your experience, connections, and knowledge to help local MSMEs overcome barriers and achieve their growth ambitions.
  • Support The Growth Hub Net Zero Team as a speaker at Training Events, sharing your sustainability journey with valuable insights, lessons learned and key take aways.
  • Participate in quarterly Business Group Meetings and represent your industry/sector, contributing vital insight into the challenges local businesses are facing, their impact and how they might overcome them.

To find out more about these partnership options, please contact The Growth Hub Gloucestershire at talktous@thegrowthhub.biz.

If your business is Gloucestershire-based, you are welcome to attend The Growth Hub’s Training Events, request a Hub Mentor, and apply for Net Zero support. Simply register for an online account to get started, or contact their team at talktous@thegrowthhub.biz.

Donations of resources to local VCSEs

Computer equipment and accessories up to 6 years old can be donated to the ITSA Digital Trust, which ensures devices are refurbished free of charge, and the donating company receives a certificate confirming that all data has been securely wiped. These devices will be donated to residents of Gloucestershire; or, in some circumstances, they will be sent to educate schoolchildren in Africa. This process is facilitated by a network of partner VCSE organisations, which also provide skills training to ensure that those in need can benefit from being online.

The ITSA Digital Trust can also offer companies the option of joining the ITSA Digital Trust Social Value Business Club, which provides opportunities to businesses including networking events, showcases of their businesses, and resources to share in tenders and publicity about their contribution in helping to provide recycled digital technology to residents of Gloucestershire.

To find out more about the ITSA Digital Trust, visit www.itsadigitaltrust.org (or for the Business Club https://itsadigitaltrust.org/itsa-community-hub/), or to donate devices, email Geoffrey Newsome at donations@itsadigitaltrust.org.

Outcome 2: Promoting a diverse and resilient business community
Ref Measure Unit
NT15 Expert support to VCSEs and SMEs no. staff expert hours
NT15a Expert support to VCSEs and SMEs to achieve net zero carbon no. staff expert hours
NT16 Support for VCSEs through donations £ invested
NT17 Support for VCSEs through volunteering no. staff volunteering hours

Relevant background and sources of information

Visit our page on whatimpact’s National Social Value Marketplace to find opportunities to partner with local VCSEs. 

Gloucestershire VCS Alliance is an independent infrastructure organisation which supports and represents voluntary and community organisations and works with statutory partners.

Operating county-wide, its membership draws organisations from every area of the county and covering every theme. It communicates across the sector via a series of news bulletins. It undertakes research alongside and can provide information about the VCSE sector as well as connecting your business to VCSE organisations that would benefit from your business advice (NT15) or staff donating voluntary hours (NT17).

The VCS Alliance has also developed two interactive data dashboards which allow you to find registered charities and Community Interest Companies within the county:

Gloucestershire Community Foundation has been strengthening communities in Gloucestershire for over 30 years. Over the last four years alone, they have provided more than £3.5 million in grant funding via more than 1000 grant applications, to more than 450 community organisations in Gloucestershire.

Organisations looking to offer expert business advice (NT15) can register for GCF's INVEST Programme which connects businesses with local voluntary and community groups to share their skills, professional advice and services, and help to strengthen the vital services that they deliver for our local communities.

Go Volunteer Glos is the digital home for volunteering in Gloucestershire. The organisation supports VCSE organisations advertise volunteering opportunities and recruit volunteers. It also specialises in helping business effectively realise their Employer Supported Volunteering initiatives including Trusteeship. Please contact Go Volunteer Glos to explore how, where and when your staff could volunteer for Gloucestershire VCSE organisations to help you achieve NT17.

The Know Your Patch initiative is a network of organisations in each district in the county. These networks meet regularly for networking and to also communicate through email bulletins. They help to connect VCSE and statutory organisations for effective partnership working.

Growth Hubs

The Growth Hub Gloucestershire provides an unrivalled combination of independent business advice, training events, and online resources to Gloucestershire based businesses. Fully funded by the UK Government and strategic partners, it’s the only Growth Hub in the country to offer core services at a district level - with expert teams of Business Navigators (Advisors), dedicated to business and economic growth, located across the county.

For bidders and suppliers who want to provide expert business advice (NT15) to local MSMEs, there are a number of ways you can partner with The Growth Hub:

  • Become an Appointed Delivery Partner and upskill local entrepreneurs and business owners through topical Workshops and 1-2-1 Training Events, in person or online.
  • Join The Growth Hub Mentor Programme and use your experience, connections, and knowledge to help local MSMEs overcome barriers and achieve their growth ambitions.
  • Support The Growth Hub Net Zero Team as a speaker at Training Events, sharing your sustainability journey with valuable insights, lessons learned and key take aways.
  • Participate in quarterly Business Group Meetings and represent your industry/sector, contributing vital insight into the challenges local businesses are facing, their impact and how they might overcome them.

To find out more about these partnership options, please contact The Growth Hub Gloucestershire at talktous@thegrowthhub.biz.

If your business is Gloucestershire-based, you are welcome to attend The Growth Hub’s Training Events, request a Hub Mentor, and apply for Net Zero support. Simply register for an online account to get started, or contact their team at talktous@thegrowthhub.biz.

Donations of resources to local VCSEs

Computer equipment and accessories up to 6 years old can be donated to the ITSA Digital Trust, which ensures devices are refurbished free of charge, and the donating company receives a certificate confirming that all data has been securely wiped. These devices will be donated to residents of Gloucestershire; or, in some circumstances, they will be sent to educate schoolchildren in Africa. This process is facilitated by a network of partner VCSE organisations, which also provide skills training to ensure that those in need can benefit from being online.

The ITSA Digital Trust can also offer companies the option of joining the ITSA Digital Trust Social Value Business Club, which provides opportunities to businesses including networking events, showcases of their businesses, and resources to share in tenders and publicity about their contribution in helping to provide recycled digital technology to residents of Gloucestershire.

To find out more about the ITSA Digital Trust, visit www.itsadigitaltrust.org (or for the Business Club https://itsadigitaltrust.org/itsa-community-hub/), or to donate devices, email Geoffrey Newsome at donations@itsadigitaltrust.org.

Outcome 3: Promoting wellbeing and diversity in the workplace
Ref Measure Unit
NT39 Support for mental health awareness campaigns for staff

£ invested inc. time, materials, equipment etc

Relevant background and sources of information

5 steps to mental wellbeing - NHS outlines simple steps to take to have a positive impact on the many factors which influence our mental wellbeing.

A range of training courses are available to public and voluntary sector organisations, including commissioned providers, covering topics such as mental health awareness, suicide prevention and self-harm awareness - Suicide prevention training | Gloucestershire County Council. Supported by local and national government: Free Courses:  https://freecoursesinengland.co.uk/mental-health-first-aid-mental-health-advocacy-in-the-workplace/

A range of models are available to support mental health campaigns in the workplace such as Time to Talk day - Time to Talk Day

Some industry specific models are also available - Mates in Mind | Overview of our work | Mates in Mind

Information regarding mental health support in Gloucestershire can be found here, including local VCSE organisations working in this area: Be Well Gloucestershire

Considerations and guidance to assist with developing your proposal

Mental wellbeing is impacted by many factors across all areas of our lives - Factors that affect mental health | Mental Health Foundation. Any staff campaigns should be designed with this knowledge in mind, and ideally focus on ongoing practices and cultural improvements to improve mental wellbeing, rather than one off events.

Ref Measure Unit
NT105 Expert Equality, Diversity & Inclusion training £ invested inc. time, materials, equipment etc

The VCS Alliance can provide further information on locally-based VCSEs who can provide expert EDI training for your organisation. Those interested should contact cate.hemingway@glosvcsalliance.org.uk.

Outcome 3: Promoting wellbeing and diversity in the workplace
Ref Measure Unit
NT39 Support for mental health awareness campaigns for staff

£ invested inc. time, materials, equipment etc

Relevant background and sources of information

5 steps to mental wellbeing - NHS outlines simple steps to take to have a positive impact on the many factors which influence our mental wellbeing.

A range of training courses are available to public and voluntary sector organisations, including commissioned providers, covering topics such as mental health awareness, suicide prevention and self-harm awareness - Suicide prevention training | Gloucestershire County Council. Supported by local and national government: Free Courses:  https://freecoursesinengland.co.uk/mental-health-first-aid-mental-health-advocacy-in-the-workplace/

A range of models are available to support mental health campaigns in the workplace such as Time to Talk day - Time to Talk Day

Some industry specific models are also available - Mates in Mind | Overview of our work | Mates in Mind

Information regarding mental health support in Gloucestershire can be found here, including local VCSE organisations working in this area: Be Well Gloucestershire

Considerations and guidance to assist with developing your proposal

Mental wellbeing is impacted by many factors across all areas of our lives - Factors that affect mental health | Mental Health Foundation. Any staff campaigns should be designed with this knowledge in mind, and ideally focus on ongoing practices and cultural improvements to improve mental wellbeing, rather than one off events.

Ref Measure Unit
NT105 Expert Equality, Diversity & Inclusion training £ invested inc. time, materials, equipment etc

The VCS Alliance can provide further information on locally-based VCSEs who can provide expert EDI training for your organisation. Those interested should contact cate.hemingway@glosvcsalliance.org.uk.

Outcome 4: Promoting fair work
Ref Measure Unit
NT106 Contributions to programmes which promote gender equity £ invested

Gloucestershire County Council is accredited by White Ribbon, the leading charity in England and Wales engaging men and boys to prevent violence against women and girls, and are undertaking work to end men’s violence against women in Gloucestershire.

Read more here: White Ribbon accredited | Gloucestershire County Council.

Outcome 4: Promoting fair work
Ref Measure Unit
NT106 Contributions to programmes which promote gender equity £ invested

Gloucestershire County Council is accredited by White Ribbon, the leading charity in England and Wales engaging men and boys to prevent violence against women and girls, and are undertaking work to end men’s violence against women in Gloucestershire.

Read more here: White Ribbon accredited | Gloucestershire County Council.

Ref Measure Unit
NT43   Support to mitigate modern slavery risks in supply chain

£ invested inc. time, materials, equipment etc

There are an estimated 50 million people living in slavery worldwide, with around 17,000 potential victims referred to the Home Office last year.

Modern slavery is hidden, often in plain sight. People can be exploited in a range of different work areas, including car washes, nail bars, hospitality, agriculture, construction and care homes.

Some useful links with further information:

Ref Measure Unit
NT43   Support to mitigate modern slavery risks in supply chain

£ invested inc. time, materials, equipment etc

There are an estimated 50 million people living in slavery worldwide, with around 17,000 potential victims referred to the Home Office last year.

Modern slavery is hidden, often in plain sight. People can be exploited in a range of different work areas, including car washes, nail bars, hospitality, agriculture, construction and care homes.

Some useful links with further information:

Outcome 6: Pioneering approaches to promoting responsible business practices
Ref Measure Unit
NT51 Pioneering approaches to promoting responsible business practices

£ invested inc. time, materials, equipment etc

This Measure covers support for a range of initiatives to promote and facilitate responsible and ethical business practices in other organisations. These can be in collaboration with the local business community, and through pioneering programmes that are scalable. Recorded hours of staff time can only include time spent preparing and conducting the activities. Innovative approaches and interventions not covered by other measures can be recorded here.

Outcome 6: Pioneering approaches to promoting responsible business practices
Ref Measure Unit
NT51 Pioneering approaches to promoting responsible business practices

£ invested inc. time, materials, equipment etc

This Measure covers support for a range of initiatives to promote and facilitate responsible and ethical business practices in other organisations. These can be in collaboration with the local business community, and through pioneering programmes that are scalable. Recorded hours of staff time can only include time spent preparing and conducting the activities. Innovative approaches and interventions not covered by other measures can be recorded here.