A free online hub of advice, tips and resources from voluntary sector organisations, for community-run businesses (such as community pubs, shops and community centres) and community groups, on topics such as governance, funding and finance, and protecting community assets.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
The Department for Education's online service listing training and employment schemes, such as apprenticeships, that help businesses recruit new staff and upskill existing employees.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
EnglandRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
An online gateway that lets growing businesses search a list of verified business mentoring organisations in their area. Aimed at growing businesses seeking guidance from experienced business professionals.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
A free online tool that gives organisations a personalised digital and AI readiness report on their workforce. Aimed at employers building workforce digital skills.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
A free set of advice, articles, lessons, toolkits, smart tools and training for business owners, from idea stage to growth. Users can go at their own pace.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Free digital skills training for small businesses, including online workshops, regional bootcamps, expert blogs and videos, a podcast and free digital marketing templates. Delivered as a joint initiative with Vodafone Business.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Free, confidential help for small UK businesses with an unresolved payment dispute with a larger customer, including unpaid invoices and non-payment queries.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Free online AI courses, badges and job-ready career certificates from Google to help individuals and small businesses build digital and AI skills. Some courses are paid through Coursera.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Free one-to-one guidance and mentoring sessions with volunteer mentors for people starting or running a business, covering topics from strategy to marketing, tech and finance.
Amount
Free. No limit on the number of sessions and no cost.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
A suite of free-to-use online courses and videos on topics such as building a business online, growing sales and social media, for startups, entrepreneurs and small or medium-sized businesses.
Amount
Free to use; the page also mentions £25 (excl. VAT) per month plus selling fees for selling on Amazon
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Membership of Make UK, a manufacturing business network, offering networking, advisory boards, briefings and access to a member-only portal. Tiers are Essentials, Enhanced and Add-ons.
Amount
From £995
Deadline
Open all year
Area
Not stated.Rating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Membership of the TCoE, a not for profit, industry owned training company for textile manufacturers and associate companies with an interest in the sector, giving discounted services, grant support, and access to the manufacturing supply chain.
Amount
Full or Associate Membership. Fees are based on company size: £8 per full time employee per annum plus a £200 registration fee. Example: 10 staff would pay £280 per year, invoiced as four quarterly payments of £70 plus VAT. Associate Membership does not allow voting at the AGM.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
Open to all textile manufacturersRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
RISE Direct is a support service for organisations in the retrofit supply chain. After a self-assessment, businesses are matched with a RISE Direct Support Manager who provides a tailored support plan on retrofit readiness, procurement routes, partnerships and training.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
Not statedRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
Free membership offering business support, events, learning resources, networking and connections for small business founders and owners across the UK. Also promotes the NatWest Accelerator, Powering Local Businesses grants, Google Digital Garage workshops and Supply Connect.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
DDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade
The UK government's Business Growth Service gives free, impartial advice, expert-led training through the Business Academy, and personalised guides to one-to-one support, opportunities and funding, through Business.gov.uk and a network of partner organisations.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
A free programme of training, events, insights and AI support designed to help small businesses grow and build resilience. It is open to all and run by HSBC UK.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
A police-led, not-for-profit organisation that helps businesses protect themselves from cybercrime through free and paid memberships, offering practical cyber security advice, tools, resources and resilience services.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
EnglandRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
BBritish Library, Business & IP Centre (British Library)
Free business support, workshops, one-to-one advice and business and IP information at the British Library and over 70 libraries across the UK, for people starting, running or growing a business.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
A free, Home Office-funded, policing-led cyber security service that scans websites and internet-facing systems for known weaknesses and monitors suspicious activity, with an optional Secure Sensor. Offered to organisations of all sizes.
Amount
Free
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Support from the Health Innovation Network for innovators in health and care, including healthtech companies and NHS clinicians with new ideas, covering early-stage guidance, prototyping, evidence, market access and adoption.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
Not stated. Local Health Innovation Networks are listed by postcode.Rating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
Access to CPI's multidisciplinary experts, specialist innovation facilities for R&D, process development and scale-up work, with customised flexible project options, to help defer capital and workforce investment until a product or process is proven at scale.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
Free online courses in digital, numeracy and soft skills, which employers can share with staff to upskill them. Aimed at people learning new skills or seeking work, and at employers.
Amount
Free
Deadline
Open all year
Area
EnglandRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10