Back by popular demand: Gloucestershire Peer Networks

It’s business support, but not as we know it...

Hot on the heels of a successful year-long trial, the Peer Networks programme is returning to Gloucestershire for 2021.

This new and unique approach to business support sees leaders grouped together to solve similar problems, or sector-specific challenges, without having to find, pay for, or rely on expensive consultants.

Leaders working in specific groups means less small talk and more direct action. In a series of two-hour zero-cost workshops, taking place over 12 weeks, participants will share their own lessons and learn from those who have already been-there-done-that. Led by trained facilitators, each workshop is designed to produce solutions and answers, as well as build a trusted network for the future:

“The Peer Network programme allows business owners that opportunity to come together in a space where they can be open about the fact that they don’t have all the right answers for how they should be running their business at the moment. It’s an amazing opportunity for them to relieve some of that burden and be open about how stressful it’s been over the last few months. And that sense of shared understanding has helped to add a level of resilience to the business owners that wasn’t there before.” - Dr Sarah Underwood, Peer Networks Facilitator

Over the twelve weeks, participants also have the opportunity to work one-on-one with the facilitator, for FREE, to dive into more specific or complex challenges, and develop changes in personal behaviours. The success of Peer of Networks to date, has seen many groups continue to work together and support each other’s businesses, based on the strength of relationships built throughout the programme.

These cohorts are made up of no more than 11 business leaders, who are either in the same sector, or facing the same type of challenge and run with absolute confidentiality.

“Peer Networks is a really good opportunity to speak to other businesses about the problems we’ve encountered, how we’ve got over them, what’s next for our business, and ways we can work with other people in the future. After our first session I spoke to another participant and we will be doing business together next year. We would never have known about one another if it wasn’t for Peer Networks.” - Joe Campbell, Business Owner

Gloucestershire’s Peer Networks programme is open to leaders of businesses which: 

• Are at least 1 year old
• Employ 5FTE
• Had a pre-COVID turnover of £100k+

Peer Networks Business Leaders will be divided into the following cohorts:  

• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Agri
• Food & Drink
• Professional Services
• Voluntary & Community Services
• Strategy & Risk
• Digital Transformation
• Innovation & Productivity
• Digital Marketing
• Supply Chain Management Onshoring

Places are extremely limited, and applications for the first phase of cohorts must be submitted before midday on 31 May 2021.

To apply, visit www.thegrowthhub.biz/peer-networks-apply

To find out more about Peer Networks in Gloucestershire simply visit www.thegrowthhub.biz/peernetworks  or get in touch for more information by contacting rod.horrocks@gfirstlep.com

Follow us on Twitter: @PeerNetworkGlos

Peer Networks is being delivered by The Growth Hub and GFirst LEP. The Growth Hub is a 37-strong national government-supported business growth programme designed to deliver help and guidance to local businesses. Gloucestershire’s Growth Hub is a network of centres, currently open in Gloucester, Cirencester, Tewkesbury, and Stroud. Cheltenham is open as an online-only service, and the Forest of Dean centre will open soon. Businesses can also use Growth Hub access points in every Gloucestershire County Council Library. GFirst LEP is the Local Enterprise Partnership for Gloucestershire, set up in 2011 by central government to drive economic growth in the region.