Discover all the support and resources currently available to businesses and organisations across LLR

There are an abundance of support programmes and resources which are available to many SMEs across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. We have highlighted some key resources below for your business or organisation to make the most of this winter to help you sustain and grow as we combat the cost of living crisis.

1. Help to grow: Digital Scheme is a government backed, UK-wide scheme that supports eligible SMEs to choose, buy and integrate software into their businesses. Embracing digital software & digital ways of working can help boost your business performance and software integration has helped SMEs to reach more customers, streamline time-consuming tasks & free up more time to focus on core business needs. Through the scheme you can access:

• Funding to help buy new software – receive a discount of up to 50% or £5,000 (excluding VAT) towards the cost of buying one approved software in the Help to Grow: Digital scheme
• Free, Impartial advice & guidance – Learn more about how the software in this scheme can help your business, discover the free eLearning modules and find your software solution.

2. Discover a more sustainable future with NatWest Carbon Planner. Reducing emissions for your business is challenging. With limited resources and multiple priorities, it can be hard to decide where to focus your efforts. Carbon Planner is free and could support you to become a more sustainable and climate conscious organisation, and help you identify potential cost and carbon savings too. Use it to measure your carbon footprint by answering a few questions, get tailored actions and start building a plan to reduce your emissions.

• Get your tailored carbon action plan from NatWest here

3. Discover FSB's wealth of on-demand webinars in their dedicated resource library. The companies mission is to help smaller businesses acheive their ambitions, so by accessing this resource library you will be able to utilise an array of webinars and resources to increase your business growth and navigate the landscape if you are a new start up. Some of these resources include:

• Apprenticeships: Busting the myths - discover how to employ an apprentice and how this will benefit your business.
• Digital transformation to drive growth - how to find, win and keep customers
• Podcasting for beginners - find out how to get started with podcasting for your business with this beginner's guide
• Maximise your membership - join FSB staff as they discuss how to make the most of the many FSB benefits, from debt recovery and funding, to FSB care and legal support
• Click here for more on-demand webinars

4. The Business Gateway Growth Hub provides a wide range of practical support for businesses based in Leicester and Leicestershire. Through 1-to-1, tailored support and guidance they are able to provide you with information and funding advice to help your business grow.

• Click here to find out how you can be supported by Business Gateway
• They also have a varied events calendar with webinars and interactive workshops that are FREE for you to attend. View this here.

5. Find out how CIMSPA's Digital Marketing Hub can help you step up your digital marketing game. The Digital Marketing Hub offers the self-employed, sole traders, small and medium-sized businesses, as well as volunteers, community groups, and charities in our sector the opportunity to develop their digital marketing skills for free. The Hub delivers:

• Certified online learning programmes
• Expert partner-led courses
• Live webinar series
• Peer networking
• Resources and micro-learning
• Click here to sign-up to the marketing hub

6. Active Together are also here to support your business and organisation, so please also visit our 'Supporting Organisations' webpage where you will find up to date resources and guidance to combat the current cost of living crisis.