Useful Links
Business Support
Real Help Now – HM Government’s recession-busting support for businesses
www.realhelpnow.gov.uk
TalentMap – a simple framework to help navigate the UK education, employment and skills systems
http://www.talentmap.ukces.org.uk/UKTalentMap/home.do
Business Link – helping businesses to start up and grow
www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest
BusinessXchange – Dorset’s lively network for business people
www.businessxchange.org.uk
Rural Dorset Business Clubs – networking clubs for businesses in rural Dorset
www.ruraldorsetbusinessclubs.co.uk
Federation of Small Businesses – support organisation for small businesses
www.fsb.org.uk
Dorset Business – Dorset’s chamber of commerce
www.dorsetbusiness.net
The Prince’s Trust – support for entrepreneurs aged 18-30
www.princes-trust.co.uk
Dorset Retail SkillShop – specialist support for retailers
www.dorsetretailskills.co.uk
PRIME – 50+ self-employment and enterprise support
www.primeinitiative.org.uk
UK Trade & Investment – supports international trading
www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
Train to Gain – free advice and funding for training
www.traintogain.gov.uk
Bournemouth Chamber of Trade & Commerce
www.bournemouthchamber.org.uk
Business Finance
Small Firms Loan Guarantee – Government guaranteed loan scheme
www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/enterprise/enterprisesmes/info-business-owners/access-to-finance/sflg/page37607.html
South West Investment Group – SW business finance provider
www.southwestinvestmentgroup.co.uk
Fredericks Foundation – provides small loans and business support
www.fredericksfoundation.org
South West Angel and Investor Network (SWAIN) – connects private investors, or ‘Business Angels’, with companies looking for investment
www.swain.org.uk
Creative Sector
Creative Dorset – support for creative businesses in Dorset
www.creativedorset.co.uk
South West Design Programme – design support for businesses
www.swdp.org.uk
ArtsMatrix – supports creative businesses in the South West
www.artsmatrix.org.uk
2012 Olympics
Team Dorset – helping Dorset benefit from hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Weymouth & Portland and leaving a real significant legacy
www.teamdorset.org.uk
CompeteFor – giving businesses unique access to 2012 Olympic opportunities
www.competefor.com/london2012business/login.jsp
Miscellaneous
Buy with Confidence – Trading Standards Approved Traders
www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk
Dorset Business Awards – recognising the achievements of Dorset’s most vibrant businesses
www.dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk
Buy Dorset – promoting Dorset businesses to Dorset people
www.buydorset.co.uk
Dorset for You – access local authority information
www.dorsetforyou.com
Start your own Business – the paper for new entrepreneurs in Dorset
http://www.syob.co.uk/dorset-business/index.php
Advice Guide – online help from Citizens Advice
www.adviceguide.org.uk
The LowDown - the economic bulletin for Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole
www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp?articleid=344928
Statistics For Business and the Economy in the South West
www.swo.org.uk/business/home.shtm
SFEDI standard for supporting clients by business mentoring
www.sfedi.co.uk/standards/business-support-standard/index_html/e-support-clients-by-business-mentoring
Other Business Mentoring organisations
Mentor-net – Hampshire & the Isle of Wight (08454 586454)
www.mentor-net.co.uk
South Devon Business Mentors (01803 540500)
www.southdevonbusinessmentors.co.uk
Dormen is not responsible for the continuity of the above links or the content of external websites.