Virtual sessions offer support and strategic direction to small businesses on their journey to their new ‘normal’ post COVID-19

By Amanda Beard
30th July 2020

The first in a series of four live virtual sessions hosted by Minerva provided invaluable advice and support for small local businesses, organisations and charities in their recovery post pandemic.

During the mini-series of “Build Back Better” webinars – focusing on the role of sustainability in helping businesses to ‘build back better’ – each session focused on specific sectors.  Key speakers from the food & drink, charities, hospitality and health and well-being shared their experiences during lockdown as well as offering valuable advice and insights on the return to a new ‘normal’.

Guest speakers included Tim Houghton, CEO of Community First, Winchester, Sara Young, Spa Manager at The Spa, South Lodge, Horsham and Siobhan Booth, Clinical Hypnotherapist and owner from Your Mind Your Body (YMYB), Andover.

Guest speaker Siobhan Booth from YMYB

Dave Watts who spoke at the first webinar focusing on food & drink

Attendees were delighted to hear first-hand accounts, as our guests shared their own personal experiences and insights, speaking openly about how they have responded to the challenges and opportunities the pandemic has brought.

Susan Risdale from the Natural Business Network, who attended three in the series, commented: “It’s great to see a sustainability webinar – I’ve not seen one before.  I enjoy new experiences and feel it is most helpful to myself and many others.”

Chef and Patron of The Crown Inn , Dave Watts, who joined Minerva as a guest speaker said: “It was great to be able to take part and talk about something that is close to my heart as well as the ethics behind what we do here.”

The interactive sessions provided a great opportunity for attendees to get involved and provide their input as well as ask questions of the Minerva team and guest panel.

Attendees contributed towards the generation of this wordcloud over the four sessions

Minerva’s Build Back Better interactive webinar series attracted a variety of attendees from charities, councils and small independent businesses. Attendees reported that the sessions were both informative and inspiring.  “It was interesting to see how various business owners are adapting to the challenges of COVID-19, specifically attitudes towards supporting teams throughout the pandemic,” said Lucy Brialey of the Sustainable Spa Association.

Jeremy Mitchell from Stroud Village Hall thanked Minerva for “a very interesting and informative [session]…it was great to have representatives from a cross-section of the charitable sector”.

The Build Back Better virtual sessions were the first in a series Minerva will continue to host online, with a new second series launching in September.  For more details on this and other forthcoming events, follow Minerva on twitter and Instagram or email info@minervacomms.net.

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