Thanks to funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Cumberland Council we still have a number of fully funded training sessions taking place in January – all with the aim of ensuring business survival. These training courses are only open to businesses in Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland.

Sales Confidence for Survival: Build Trust, Win Clients, Grow Resilience

Date: Wednesday 21st January
Time: 1pm to 4pm 
Price: Fully funded by Cumberland Council
Venue: The Halston, 20 - 34 Warwick Road, Carlisle, CA1 1AB

Selling doesn’t have to feel scary — and surviving shouldn’t mean selling yourself short.

Join us for Sales Confidence for Survival, a live, energising workshop designed to help you connect with more clients and generate more income — even in uncertain times.

This isn’t a lecture. This is real, practical sales support designed for small business owners, freelancers and entrepreneurs who want to:

• Rebuild sales confidence
• Have better conversations that lead to work
• Follow up without feeling awkward
• Learn how to talk about what you offer — and why it matters
• Leave with a plan, not just notes

You'll get:

• A step-by-step method to build trust in every sales interaction
• Live support to tailor your message and approach
• A confidence boost — and templates to keep the momentum going
• A 14-day follow-up plan to help you turn learning into action

Perfect for:

• Founders, freelancers and self-employed professionals
• Anyone who’s good at what they do but struggles to “sell it”
• Local businesses looking for hands-on, confidence-led support

Delivered in-person by Impact Growth Academy Ltd— personal brand, sales and LinkedIn experts who’ve built a thriving business using the same skills they’ll teach you.

Book here

Win More Business through Public Sector Contracts

Date: Thursday 22nd January 2026
Time: 10am to 12pm 
Price: Fully funded by Cumberland Council
Venue: Online

Delivering public sector contracts is one way you can grow your business, but you have to win them first!

This 2-hour online workshop with bid writing consultant Tamar Reay, will delve deeper into what public sector buyers expect from their suppliers and a successful tender

By the end of this session, you’ll have a practical understanding of:

• The different ways public sector organisations buy goods and services, so you can find the opportunities that are right for you
• How to identify the key information these buyers are looking for from their suppliers so you can position yourself more effectively
• Hints and tips on how to write a good proposal, which will help you strengthen your bid and maximise your scores

This workshop is aimed at businesses who are new to bidding for public sector contracts or who are looking to improve their bidding skills and know-how.

Book here

A step by step guide to posting successfully on social media

Date: Tuesday 27th January 2026
Time: 10am to 12.30pm (refreshments provided)
Price: Fully funded by Cumberland Council
Venue: Greenhill Hotel, Red Dial, Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 8LS

Ideal for small businesses who want to use social media as a form of marketing their business. The course will focus on Facebook and Instagram and will demonstrate the process from start to finish.

By the end of the session, participants will know how to:

• Set up and personalise a Facebook business page
• Design simple, professional-looking posts
• Use Meta Business Suite to manage Facebook and Instagram
• Ensure posts get maximum reach and engagement
• Interpret simple insights and analytics to learn about your potential customers
• Create a paid ad that truly works and helps you reach the right people

NOTE: It is advisable that delegates bring a laptop, iPad and / or phone. Delegates should have a basic understanding of social media, even if they don’t currently have a business page

Book here

If the above doesn’t meet your current needs, we do also have 8hrs of one to one adviser support available until the end of January. Anyone interested in working with one of our 35 business advisers please contact Lesley Robinson, Head of Business Growth & Support – lesleyr@cumbriachamber.co.uk