Early Stage Peer Support Group - embedding impact

Deadline for applications is Wednesday 9th October at midday.

It is designed to bring early-stage businesses and entrepreneurs together with a focus on understanding the benefits, opportunities and ways to bake in positive social impact and purpose to your business plans as you develop and grow.

What is a peer-to-peer support group?

A peer-to-peer support group is a facilitated group of individuals who are all at a similar stage in their business or organisation, keen to come together to share with and learn from one another.

What can I expect from the peer to peer group?

• A safe, supportive and confidential environment to learn and share experiences, challenges and knowledge with a group of like-minded peers. 

• Facilitation by experienced business mentors, who will guide the sessions, challenge and encourage your thinking and be a safe critic. 

• The opportunity to make lasting, meaningful connections and find collaborative opportunities.

• Gain insight and knowledge surrounding key strategic topics.

• The initial session will focus on business planning geared towards helping you consider the social impact of your business. The themes and topics of future sessions will be shaped by commonalities that are identified from this initial session and will help you to delve deeper into your business and think strategically. 

Who is it for?

Anyone who is at the early stages of starting or growing a business or becoming self-employed and is keen to learn how embedding more impact at an early stage can make the business more attractive and successful, benefiting from the support, connections and knowledge-sharing that can be gained from a peer group setting.

 When

18:00 - 20:00 Wednesday 16th October 2024

18:00 - 20:00 Wednesday 23rd October 2024

18:00 - 20:00 Wednesday 6th November 2024

18:00 - 20:00 Wednesday 20th November 2024

4 x 2 hour sessions

Terms & Conditions

The questions in the form are to assess compatibility and suitability. You may receive a phone call as part of the application process. Groups are limited to a maximum of 12 participants and we will also ask for your valued feedback at the end of the programme, so we can continually improve the offering. 

Participants must be prepared to commit to all sessions across two months, starting in October 2024. Sessions will be held in person at the BIPC in Oxfordshire County Library at the Westgate Centre.

Please note we can only offer one place per business. If you have a co-founder, please nominate one of you to be part of the programme.

Deadline for applications is Wednesday 9th October at midday.

Peer Group Facilitator

Juliet Cornford

Juliet has worked for over 25 years supporting social enterprises. In 2018 she was named as one of the top 100 women in SE (SE WISE 100). Working internationally for the British Council she supports the development of social enterprise through policy and government engagement and capacity building.

She is the founder and former CEO of Social Enterprise Northern Ireland, leading the establishment of a representative body for the sector including establishment of the first ‘All Party working group’ for NI Assembly.

An experienced business advisor and coach to social enterprises and the third sector supporting a diverse range of organisations including credit unions, community owned village shops, and public sector spin outs.

OSEP and BIPC

OSEP is partnering with BIPC and Oxfordshire County Council to deliver this programme. OSEP CIC is a social enterprise, set up to support social entrepreneurs, Social Enterprises, enterprising charities and purposeful business across Oxfordshire – all trading as a way to address social and environmental challenges

The BIPC (Business and Intellectual Property Centre) provides business support for Oxfordshire residents funded by Oxfordshire County Council.