Coronavirus business update: Latest news across the North West
Businesses in Cumbria and Lancashire are invited to participate in a fully-funded programme with Lancaster University Management School (LUMS), and the Health Innovation Campus, to help them re-shape their business, innovate and thrive in the ‘new normal’, following the COVID-19 crisis.
Designed and delivered by leading academics the programme will deliver online workshops to small groups of business leaders over a five-week period.
The first cohort begins at the end of June with additional groups running between July-August 2020, with each supporting around 10 businesses.
Matt Hutchinson, project manager at Lancaster University Management School, said: “We understand that not everyone’s experience will be identical, but we know there will be similar challenges and worries plaguing many of our local SMEs.
“This programme is designed for business leaders to benefit from the expertise of our world-leading academic and business minds, while also sharing and working through real-time experiences with a strong peer network.
“The beauty of this opportunity is that businesses will have their own unique journey – and we will be on hand to support as they explore ways to drive business recovery in the short-term, while planning for a more resilient long-term future.”
Samantha Winder, ERDF Programme manager for the Health Innovation Campus, added: “We’re delighted to be involved in this programme with the world-renowned experts from LUMS.
“The support on offer will give organisational leaders valuable skills to help them come through the challenges currently facing businesses and thrive in the coming months and years.”
The programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (EDRF) and supported by Boost, Lancashire’s business Growth Hub and the Cumbria Growth Hub.
SMEs interested in participating should register their interest by contacting the business engagement team at Lancaster University Management School: responseprogramme@lancaster.ac.uk
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From left: Anthony Lord, Tina Large (Manchester Airport), Tameside Cllr Bill Fairfoull on behalf of Trust Fund
Hospices, sports clubs and neighbourhood groups are among the 15 organisations bagging Manchester Airport grants to help their COVID-19 relief efforts.
The Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund announced it was welcoming applications from groups supporting communities through the pandemic.
It received scores of bids and trustees have now awarded grants totalling more than £21,000 to a range of organisations within 10 miles of the airport.
Among the beneficiaries are Willow Wood Hospice in Ashton-under-Lyne, which will receive £3,000 to purchase 10 new iPads. The gadgets will allow patients to stay in more frequent contact with their friends and families.
Anthony Lord, head of income generation & marketing at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “Manchester Airport’s generous donation will give our patients the opportunity to virtually see and chat to their friends and family as current restrictions mean only two named visitors can call in.
“Tools like this are vital to allow our patients some normality during these uncertain times. I am sure they and their loved ones as well as staff appreciate the help the Community Trust Fund has given us at Willow Wood Hospice.”
Trafford Veterans, Barnados Wythenshawe, the Church of England Wythenshawe and Ladybarn Community Hub will all be using their donations to buy jigsaws, activity packs and mind games to help people stay entertained through lockdown measures.
Meanwhile others such as Wythenshawe AFC and The Cherry Tree Project in Stockport are using their money to buy sporting equipment to allow for social distancing when they can re-open.
Andrew Cowan, Manchester Airport chief executive, said: “For more than 20 years the Community Trust Fund has supported local groups making a real difference across Greater Manchester and Northern Cheshire.
“We are proud that it is once again enabling vital support to our neighbouring communities, particularly in these challenging times.”
The Community Trust Fund, which was set up in 1997, usually reviews applications quarterly, but trustees are speeding up the process for the latest applications to ensure the cash reaches affected communities as quickly as possible.
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Adam Kerr
Commercial law firm, Primas, has launched a new freephone number to provide free legal advice to NHS employees.
Primas hopes to be able to alleviate some additional stresses on NHS staff by providing them with free advice on legal issues, such as finance and statutory rights, to thank healthcare professionals for their selfless work during the COVID19 pandemic.
The number will work on one central line and be operational for a full 12 months.
Managing partner, Adam Kerr, said: “At Primas we always plan different fundraising activities throughout the year, but are limited as to what we can do at the moment for obvious reasons.
“After speaking to a couple of my friends, who are working on the frontline in the NHS, and running the idea of free legal advice by them, they assured me people would be hugely grateful for the offer.
“Even if we, at Primas, can’t help with a specific request, we can certainly point people in the direction of somebody who can.”
The freephone number for NHS staff is 0333 242 2622.
Primas has offices in Cheshire, Manchester and London.
