Launched in July 2020 in response to COVID-19, the Here2Help Business Programme offers a diverse and comprehensive programme of financial and non-financial support to assist established Worcestershire businesses to develop, advance and build future resilience.

The support is spread across three key categories: Sustain & Grow, Adapt and Develop.

• Sustain & Grow Grants (up to £25,000): Available to businesses in key eligible sectors to invest in projects which can drive their business and our local economy forward following the impact of COVID-19. Match funded at up to 50% of total cost, these capital and revenue grants are available to support recovery and growth projects which may safeguard or create jobs.
• COVID Response Grants (up to £100,000) – Any business that may have responded to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 virus itself with a new product or solution may receive capital funding to help achieve its quick and complete delivery to market.
• Agriculture Grants (up to £10,000) – These 50% match funded grants are designed to support the need to automate many agricultural processes and to be environmentally conscious. They are available to the agriculture sector to invest in appropriate projects.

Expert advisers are now offering free support to the county’s businesses to help them recover and move forward from COVID-19.

There are three main areas of support available; interactive webinars, business advice and business consultancy. All Worcestershire businesses are eligible to sign up to the webinars and business advice, with a limited number of places available. In addition to this, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) who meet the eligibility criteria, can also benefit from bespoke, in-depth business consultancy to address any strategic long-term considerations for their business.

This specialist advice will be available in the critical areas of business planning & finance, technology, and marketing & digital communications.

The Develop Programme offers eligible Worcestershire business the opportunity to recruit a recent graduate into the business at a time when they may otherwise not have been able to do so. The grant offers up to £10,000 (up to 50%) of a graduate’s first year salary, paid quarterly. It is hoped that the grant programme will create additional graduate opportunities for residents in Worcestershire or those who have recently graduated from the University of Worcester.

To find out more about Here2Help Business, click here.