Sponsorship delivers tangible business value by increasing visibility, strengthening reputation, and creating deeper audience engagement. At its core, the biggest benefit is credible, targeted exposure that traditional advertising often can’t match.

There are a number of core business benefits to sponsorship including brand visibility, targeted audience engagement, credibility and trust, positive reputation and brand image, business growth and lead generation and long-term strategic value.

The below opportunities are currently available, as well as the above business benefits, you’ll be supporting the work of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce/Cumbria Business Growth Hub enabling us to deliver the best possible service we can. Sponsorship allows us to deliver core activities some of which were previously fully funded but still deliver significant value.

Women in Business Safe Woman workshops

Sponsorship of this workshop demonstrates bold, values driven leadership. Supporting women’s safety is a courageous stance. It signals that your organisation is willing to step into real issues rather than sticking to safe, surface level CSR.

By sponsoring this particular event you directly benefit your community. Women’s safety affects your staff, customers, and local families. Your involvement will strengthen your brand reputation and generate positive PR. Mostly importantly sponsorship supports your female employees. Women in your organisation will see this as a sign that their safety, confidence and wellbeing matter. Finally it’s a bold, courageous sponsorship choice, most businesses sponsor the usual things — sports teams, events, banners. Few choose something that genuinely empowers people.

There are two levels of sponsor at £500 +VAT or £750 +VAT – workshops are running in Carlisle and Workington.

Four-day business start-up course

There are a number of benefits to sponsoring our four-day business start-up course. The course creates new entrepreneurs, boosts local economic activity, and demonstrates that your organisation is actively investing in people, skills, and community resilience. It’s one of the most direct ways to turn funding into long-term social and economic outcomes.

Sponsorship delivers social value by focusing on:

1. Economic growth & local prosperity

• Helps individuals turn ideas into viable and sustainable businesses who have a much higher chance of survival
• Increases local employment opportunities as new businesses grow and need to take on employees
• Keeps money circulating within the local community rather than leaving it – course attendees cover the whole of the county

2. Skills development & lifelong learning

Participants who attend the course gain knowledge and skills in:

• Business planning
• Financial literacy (understanding the numbers)
• Marketing and digital skills
• Confidence and leadership abilities

3. Supporting underrepresented or disadvantaged groups

Through promotion and links with wider referral organisations the course can empower:

• Young people
• Long-term unemployed
• Women returning to work
• People with disabilities including neuro diversity
• Ethnic minority entrepreneurs
• Those with caring responsibilities
• Veterans

4. Community resilience & self-sufficiency

Entrepreneurs strengthen communities by:

• Providing local services and giving back to the local community
• Creating networks
• Building confidence and aspiration

5. Positive PR & corporate reputation

Sponsoring our start-up course demonstrates:

• Commitment to social responsibility
• Investment in local people and their futures
• Support for innovation and enterprise

We are looking for a sponsor(s) to cover costs per course or there is the option of sponsoring the full year programme. Cost per four-day course is £2,000 +VAT running in July 26, September 26, November 26, January 27 & March 27.

And of course there’s Conference Cumbria (in an earlier article), with four levels of sponsorship available. This is currently the Chamber’s best attended event and continues to grow year on year.

We’re also looking for a sponsor or two for our Women in Business network.

Anyone wishing to discuss any of the above should contact Lesley Robinson, Head of Business Growth & Support by emailing lesleyr@cumbriachamber.co.uk