Two new initiatives have been launched by the Humber LEP in collaboration with our partners to support businesses and individuals affected by the ongoing coronavirus crisis. 

The Coronavirus Community Support hub brings together organisations with urgent needs with businesses who are able to support them, while the Humber Jobs Fuse initiative supports both employees and employers affected by employment issues during the coronavirus crisis.

The ‘Coronavirus Community Support’ hub has been created by the LEP to help match the growing number of requests being made for businesses to help, and the offers of support coming in from the region’s businesses.

The website lists details of the support being requested by public sector and community organisations involved in the coronavirus response.  Requests include a call for businesses prepared to donate surplus stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) or hand sanitizer, as many have done already, and an invitation for those interested in converting existing production lines to manufacture the products to get in touch.

Meanwhile, with most traditional networking opportunities closed off, the LEP is working with business membership and support organisations across the Humber to build up a database of business volunteers who are willing to help local firms.

Business leaders who think they may be able to help by offering a little bit of their time for an informal conversation with another business are asked to register their interest on the website.

The LEP is working with the Humber Local Resilience Forum, which includes the region’s local authorities and emergency services, to match offers of help with those who need it most. Visit the website here: https://community.humberlep.org/




Meanwhile, Humber Jobs Fuse, a joint service created by the Humber LEP, The Education Development Trust (a prime contractor for the National Careers Service in Yorkshire and the Humber), the Department for Work and Pensions, the four Humber Local Authorities and Skills Support for the Workforce, will help match opportunities as new and replacement needs arise as result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It will connect employers who have urgent vacancies with individuals across the Humber who are available to start work – while also listening to employers who have to make redundancies to see if there are opportunities for their staff arising in the region.

Humber Jobs Fuse will also support those who have lost their jobs or whose job has been affected during the crisis through its dedicated telephone enquiry service – which offers free, impartial and professional advice to job seekers – including practical aspects such as CV writing and access to training.

Visit the website here: https://fuse.humberlep.org/

Support available from the Humber Business Growth Hub: 

The Growth Hub continues to support Humber businesses facing difficulties during the pandemic.

Some businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector still have not applied for grants available to them - of either £10,000 or £25,000 depending upon their rateable value. Please get in touch with the Growth Hub if you think this might be the case and they can put you in touch with your local authority.

As well as grants available for businesses to support home working, facilitating better IT provisions, and bespoke business support during the crisis, Business Advisors from your area are also on hand for one-to-one advice via telephone. Please email growth.hub@humberlep.org to get in touch.



Meanwhile, the Growth Hub has also been busy organising several different workshops covering different challenges businesses may face while navigating the impact of the coronavirus crisis and the effect the lockdown has had on business operations.

Please visit Eventbrite to book your place. There are currently eight workshops planned in the coming weeks on a variety of different topics.

Make sure you access all the latest Government support by clicking here.