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Jelly gets down to business at Basepoint
The first Jelly co-working day on 6 June at Basepoint in West Swindon attracted ten home
workers, freelancers and small business entrepreneurs. There is room for more at the next event.
Coordinator Paul Harding said Health psychologist Jade Hancock alongside others,
bringing people together to col- from Lyneham said she had decided to having worked
laborate and exchange ideas had have a change of scene. “It’s useful to on my own for the
been a positive experience for all get away from home and talk to others last 7 years. There
who attended. “We all brought our in a working setting. You discover new was an interest-
own work but there was a lot of ideas things related to what you do and can ing diversity of
being exchanged, suggestions and contribute ideas.” people who took
practical tips. Often people who work Suzanne Daykin from The Prinnels part in the first
on their own for most of the time get is already involved in Jelly activity meeting dealing First into the Jelly mix, front from left, Jess Robinson, Paul
stuck with something or just want to as an online marketer for ihubbub. with quite simi- Harding, Andy Brackenbury. Back, Kieron Skillet, Suzanne
bounce an idea off somebody else. Jelly com, the virtual support site for lar interests and Daykin, Jade Hancock, Peter Noone
is great for breaking out and seeing home workers. “I was intrigued to problems, such as IT issues.” Swindon Jelly will take place at
things differently.” know what it would be like to work Youth apprentice organiser Andy Basepoint on Rivermead Drive, 9am
Brackenbury came away with a to 5pm on the first Thursday of the
Free apprenticeship careers fair on 9 July Twitter account and ten followers. month.
There are 20 hot desks available
“Everybody talks about Twitter so it
A group of local organisations, in conjunction with the National Appren- was really great to talk to people about for 4 July. Book a place via www.
ticeship Service and the charity Education and Employers Taskforce, are what you can do with it.” swindonjelly.eventbrite.co.uk
organising a free event to help young people aged 16 to 18 with finding Marketing consultant Peter Noone Contact Paul Harding via Twit-
an apprenticeship. agreed that he had also become more ter @swindonjelly or mail: paulh@
Taking place at The Platform in Faringdon Road on Tuesday 9 July, there aware of the power of Twitter. managedfollowup.co.uk
will be the chance to have one to one sessions with HR professionals and
employers, as well as employability workshops on how to prepare a CV.
A number of recruitment representatives will be talking to young people Outset has support solutions
throughout the day about what they expect from job applicants, how to for business start-up ideas
present themselves and what kind of questions to expect at an interview. Outset, the award-winning business initiative programme, launched on 14
Follow GWP on Twitter @GWPartnership for up to date information on which June when the first eight participants received certificates from Swindon’s
employers will be attending and how to register for the sessions. MPs Robert Buckland and Justin Tomlinson.
To book individual appointments with the HR professionals, contact Taufique
The totally free service
or Amy on 01793 770482 or mail: [email protected] funded jointly by Swin-
£55 velopment Fund aims to
don Council and the
European Regional De-

help create new businesses
and new jobs in the town
over the next two years.
The first clients took

sessions to unravel crucial
aspects of developing a
Massive Deal: Offices From 55 part in eight three hour
£
business idea, starting
to trade, marketing and Mayor of Swindon Nick Martin launching Outset.
Photo: Richard Wintle www.calyxpix.com
All inclusive special managing growth, and
office package deal Align here how to make a business investment- addition to the town’s economy.
with 500 minutes of Local ready, to secure finance for further “Swindon has the fastest growth rate
and National calls per month*
product and business development. of start-ups in the South West.
Projects include a parent support “I talk to many young people
service, marketing hand made crafts, who want to be entrepreneurs but
writing for business, plumbers and need help to move their aspirations
setting up a bike hire service. Susan forward. As a former small business
Bruce has launched Big Tots Play person, I know how hard it can be
Space which is advertised on page 15. to establish yourself. Being able to
South Swindon MP Robert Buck- discuss ideas in a structured way, find
land said he is confident successful ways forward, and receive ongoing
new businesses will emerge from the mentoring, will be invaluable.”
initiative. “People have great ideas and Outset will be introducing business
Scan this
enthusiasm and Outset helps them finance advice workshops, regular
advert with the
Basepoint Business Centre Linkz app focus on what is required to take the networking meetings and an online
to get more
Rivermead Drive, information, a virtual next steps to turn those ideas into community for clients.
Swindon SN5 7EX tour and contact reality. It brings together solutions To discuss joining a course, call
www.basepoint.co.uk details. in one place.” Freephone 0800 080 3024 or mail:
To arrange a viewing call 01793 608800 Basepoint_Swnd Justin Tomlinson, MP for North [email protected]
Swindon, said Outset was a valuable www.outsetswindon.co.uk
8 swindonlink.com • July 2013

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