50% costs covered for mentoring programme but only if based in Cumberland
Cumbria Business Growth Hub is offering 50% funded places on it’s mentoring programme for 7 businesses based in the Cumberland Council area.
Now in it’s fourth cohort, mentoring support is totally confidential and a great way to propel your business to the next level.
You can choose to work with one of our seven mentors for six months, meeting once a month.
You can view further details here
Anyone interested in finding out more please email Lesley Robinson, Head of Business Growth & Support – lesleyr@cumbriachamber.co.uk
NEW – H&H Rural Bursary
H&H are proud to launch the H&H Rural Matters Bursary, supporting the next generation of farmers across Cumbria.
Open to Cumbrians involved in farming or the agricultural sector aged 25-35 years, the £3,000 bursary will fund practical projects or training to help develop skills, education and farm businesses.
Applicants will need to submit proposals outlining their plans and funding needs.
Successful applicants will be contacted in early summer and featured in a video to be shown at the Cumbria Farmer Awards in August.
Full details, eligibility criteria and deadlines can be viewed here
Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)
From October 2027 a new Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers comes into force. A Deposit Return Scheme is a system designed to increase recycling and reduce litter. Under the scheme a deposit is added to the price of the drink when it is sold, and the deposit is refunded when the empty bottle or can is returned. Businesses will play a key role in the scheme e.g. by hosting reverse vending machines where consumers can return their containers to collect the deposit. Exchange for Change which is the industry-led organisation responsible for designing, implementing, and operating the Deposit Return Scheme across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland is holding a series of free 45- minute introductory webinars to provide more information about the new scheme. For more information sign up at https://exchangeforchange.co.uk/webinars/
Plans to support smaller farms
The Government has announced plans to provide more support for smaller farms to drive growth, secure a thriving future for the sector and deliver high-quality, affordable food. The plans include reforms to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and a £30 million Farmer Collaboration Fund to support farmer groups to grow their businesses.
Read more about the plans here
North West Family Business Awards 2026 now open
The awards champion and represent family businesses from all sectors, shapes, sizes and ages and are organised by The Family Business Community. We encourage all family businesses to apply and help us to share and celebrate their success stories.
This year’s categories are:
You can view full details of each category here
You can nominate and enter here
IP Basics YouTube series
Understanding intellectual property rights can help protect your business innovations. The Intellectual Property Office IP Basics YouTube series covers patents, trade marks, copyright, and design rights.
Explore the full play list here
