Businesses across Wychavon can now apply for grants of up to £15,000 to support growth, investment and job creation, as Wychavon District Council launches its new Growth Fund.

Fully funded by the council, the scheme is designed to help small and medium sized enterprises invest in projects that will make a measurable difference to their development. This could include purchasing new equipment, expanding facilities, improving productivity or creating new employment opportunities.

The Growth Fund is open to SMEs across the entire district — including the three towns — and aims to encourage applications from areas that have historically seen fewer bids. A map of previously supported projects, delivered through the former Wychavon Rural Fund, highlights strong activity in many rural wards, and the council is keen to see that success replicated district wide.

To be eligible, businesses must: 

•Be an SME based in Wychavon (fewer than 250 employees and either a turnover of £44m or less, or a balance sheet total of £38m or less). 

•Demonstrate that the project will support business growth. 

•Provide at least 50% match funding. 

•Contact the council before applying if the project involves building works or planning considerations.

Cllr Richard Morris, Leader of the Council and Executive Board Member for Economic Growth and Tourism, said: “Wychavon is home to an incredible range of ambitious and hardworking businesses, and we want to help them take their next step. The Growth Fund gives SMEs across the district, including our three towns, the chance to invest in projects that will genuinely move them forward, whether that’s new equipment, expanding facilities, boosting productivity or creating jobs.

“We’re looking for businesses with a clear vision for growth and the ability to match fund at least half of their project costs. If you’re an SME based in Wychavon and you’ve got an idea that will strengthen your business, we want to hear from you. This is a real opportunity to unlock investment and drive growth in every corner of our district.”

Businesses can find full details and apply online at www.wychavon.gov.uk/growth 

For enquiries, email Growth@wychavon.gov.uk

Are you a Wychavon based entrepreneur considering starting a business but unsure where to begin? 

The Enterprising Worcestershire Programme invites you to attend a free Start-It Business

Masterclass, designed to guide aspiring entrepreneurs through the essential steps of starting and developing a business. 

📍Droitwich Spa Library, Victoria Square, Droitwich, WR9 8DQ on 26 & 27 May

This comprehensive 2-day workshop will cover key topics including: 

•Legal structures for your business  

•Self-employment and registration  

•Branding, marketing, and sales strategies  

•Financial forecasting and raising finance  

 •Business planning and cash flow management 

Participants will also receive a basic business plan canvas, access to bespoke templates, and continued support through RSCL’s professional network and newsletters. 

These sessions offer a valuable opportunity to gain expert insight and practical tools to help turn your business idea into a reality. 

If you’re a tourism or hospitality business in Worcestershire, this is your chance to step into the spotlight. From attractions, accommodation and pubs to experiences, events and food & drink producers, the awards celebrate the businesses creating outstanding visitor experiences across the county.

✨ New for this year 

• International Tourism Business of the Year 

• Worcestershire’s Food & Drink Producer of the Year

As well as local recognition, the awards offer a proven pathway to the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, with Worcestershire businesses continuing to shine on the national stage.

📅 Entries close: Wednesday 3 June 2026

Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Worcestershire County Council are pleased to announce the 2026 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards.

The announcement comes at the conclusion of National Careers Week, a successful week of promoting the various career pathways and options available within Worcestershire, and having delivered a National Apprenticeship Week campaign back in February.

National Careers Week in Worcestershire was focused around delivery of the Worcestershire Skills Expo, formerly known as Worcestershire Skills Show, which brought together over 4,500 students from schools across Worcestershire to meet local, national and international employers from a wide range of industries, as well as connect with local skills, training and education providers.

Apprentices, employers, schools, and training providers in Worcestershire are encouraged to submit their entries or nominations through the online nomination process before the deadline of Friday 17 July 2026.

Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: " Worcestershire Apprenticeships is all about supporting apprenticeship growth across the county and it is great news to announce the 2026 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards to allow us to continue championing the value of apprenticeships. Whether you are an apprentice, an employer, a training provider, one of our schools or an ambassador, I encourage you to enter or nominate, to help us celebrate all those involved with making apprenticeships a success here in Worcestershire.”

Councillor Alan Amos, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Business and Skills at Worcestershire County Council, added: “I am delighted we are able to launch the 2026 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards following on from a brilliant National Careers Week and Apprenticeship Week. The apprenticeship community in Worcestershire continues to go from strength to strength and these awards provide the chance for us to recognise those utilising apprenticeships to bring in new talent, upskill existing talent and shape futures, and I am thoroughly looking forward to the awards later this year.”

Held as the grand finale of Worcestershire TechFest 2026 at the Stanbrook Abbey in Worcester, the Showcase brought together entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, and public-sector partners to celebrate the region’s growing innovation ecosystem.

Over the course of the evening, founders from BetaDen’s ninth accelerator cohort presented their emerging technology innovations, demonstrating solutions to real-world challenges across sectors such as health, agriculture, logistics, AI, and wellbeing.

The cohort companies showcased were:

•Barbourne Brook — a technology-driven customs advisory service helping businesses streamline import processes 

•ErgoFigure — a smart wellness device monitoring fluid changes for people with serious health conditions 

•Book Drive — an online platform simplifying the booking of driving lessons for students and instructors 

•CareBoodle — a Wychavon based business developing an application supporting carers in identifying symptoms of delirium and escalating cases appropriately.

•CORZ — a gamified core-training device designed to improve strength efficiently 

•Ocius Consulting —a change-management platform, placing people at the centre of organisational transformation 

•First Base Solutions — a Wychavon based business specialising in robotics software addressing agricultural workforce shortages 

•Scalably — an AI-powered marketplace integration platform simplifying connections between sellers and retailers

As TechFest 2026 concludes, attention now turns to sustaining the connections, ideas, and opportunities generated during the festival.

The traditional one-week placement is being replaced by a more flexible, ongoing approach embedded throughout secondary school. This includes workplace visits, short placements, employer-led projects, and career talks creating more opportunities for businesses to engage with future talent.

Early Careers Worcestershire and Worcestershire Growth Hub are already working with local schools and employers to prepare for this shift. Now’s the time to get involved and stay ahead of your competitors.

Join the Work Experience Business Forum on Wednesday 13 May at Visit Worcestershire New Road to learn more.

To register or find out more, contact 01905 677888 or info@worcestershiregrowthhub.co.uk.

A service which looks after rough sleepers during periods of extreme weather has received a major funding boost.

The County Council has confirmed that £100,000 of Public Health funding for 2026/27 will support the county’s six district councils to keep rough sleepers safe when temperatures plummet. This is on top of funding provided by the district councils.

The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is a life saving emergency response that provides warm, safe accommodation to people sleeping rough during dangerous weather conditions. It is seen as vital in reducing preventable deaths and supporting some of the county’s most vulnerable residents.

SWEP is activated when temperatures are forecast to fall to freezing or below, when a red weather warning is issued. It can also be activated during heatwaves or at times when localised conditions, such as flooding, pose a risk to people without a place to go home to. The service also opens for five nights over Christmas, regardless of the weather.

Cold weather significantly increases the risk of hypothermia, respiratory illness, stroke and other severe health conditions for people sleeping rough. Public Health’s continued investment will help councils offer:

•Emergency accommodation 

•On site overnight support where facilities allow 

•Food and essential items 

•Advice, signposting and engagement with services 

•Support that helps individuals move away from rough sleeping

A spokesperson for Worcestershire’s six district councils said: “As district councils, we are exploring how we commission support for people who are sleeping rough, with a greater focus on prevention and early support so we can help people off the streets for good. SWEP will continue to play an important role within that approach, providing an essential emergency response when conditions put lives at risk.”

Are you a business, organisation, or someone experiencing or caring for someone living with Dementia in and around the Pershore area?

The Pershore Dementia Action Alliance would like to extend this invite – please share the link and posters amongst your networks.

Join us at Pershore Dementia Awareness Festival for a fun, friendly day raising support and understanding!

•Number 8 Arts Centre Pershore, England 

•Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 10 am to 3:30 pm 

•This is a drop-in style event so you may attend the session or activities that are most relevant to you.

Pershore Dementia Awareness Festival

The number of people living with dementia in Pershore and surrounding villages is approximately 3,000.The Dementia Festival has been developed to provide support and signposting for both those caring and living with dementia, as well as for organisations and businesses who could make a real difference to the wellbeing and confidence of customers, staff and carers. For businesses, this not only benefits individuals and their families but it helps with general reasonable adjustment policy for staff and create a safe and welcoming space for clients.

The event will include speakers from the Wellbeing Hub, GP Surgeries, individuals with lived experience, and organisations such as Age UK Wyvern, Citizens Advice, Alzheimer's Society.

Together, we can work to make Pershore and the surrounding area more dementia friendly. Don’t deny, defy!

More information about how organisations can sign up to FREE Dementia training provided by Age UK Wyvern will be discussed during the morning session.

The festival is open to all organisations, parishes, and those living and caring for dementia.

To book a free ticket and for the event itinerary, please visit this link

For any questions about the event or accessibility needs, please contact Lindsay Roach communitybuilder@pershorevolunteers.org.uk.

Wychavon District Council are looking into setting up a ‘Park that Bike’ scheme. A unique scheme to promote cycling and active travel. Working with employers and communities. However, before going ahead with such a scheme, we are seeking feedback as to whether businesses would be interested in participating and have identified a need for bike parking facilities. Please see a brief summary / benefits of the scheme below and direct any feedback / questions to: joe.wheldon@wychavon.gov.uk (Joe Wheldon, Carbon Reduction Projects Officer).

The scheme would: 

• target the business, community and voluntary sectors 

• offer them various types of cycle parking – free of charge – for installation on their premises

Funded by the Council and operated by ParkThatBike, the scheme would achieve the following outcomes: 

• high quality cycle parking installed in places where it is needed 

• cycling made easier and more convenient 

• the status of cycling raised 

• cycle theft reduced 

• a measurable increase in cycle use

Benefits of the ParkThatBike scheme: 

• Effective. Many employers want to provide cycle parking, but do not have time or expertise to search through manufacturers’ catalogues and websites. A ParkThatBike scheme makes it easy for them. Help in identifying what is need and installation. 

• Value for money. ParkThatBike schemes have a powerful leverage effect. Many employers take up the offer of free cycle parking but then go on to install more. 

• Popular. ParkThatBike schemes are always popular with the business community and the wider public. Workplaces gain better facilities. Cyclists have somewhere secure to park their bikes. Levels of cycle use increase.