Empower Biz Leicester
TREC’s mission is to “challenge race discrimination, promote the benefits of a racially just society and empower individuals and communities affected by racial disadvantage”. Our generic services delivered to individuals, communities, statutory, business, and voluntary sector include:
Advice, support, and advocacy to individuals with race discrimination claims
Wrap-around refugee resettlement service
Immigration advice, guidance, and support
ESOL support for Employment
Policy Development – equality proofing
Community development
Health and wellbeing information, guidance, and support
Training, Consultancy and Research
From time to time, on recommendation from service users, TREC develop and deliver bespoke projects/packages. For example, we were successful in our application to ERDF to the support the entrepreneurial needs of new arrivals and refugee communities in Leicester through our Enterprising New Arrivals (ENA) programme. The aim of the ENA programme was to support and enable newly arrived families/individuals to engage in the economic regeneration of their communities; support the development of successful entrepreneurs in these communities and, ensure that post-recession these communities were able to thrive and survive.
The total programme value was £224,859, with 20 percent match funding by TREC. The programme surpassed its target of supporting 100 people, by providing over 12 hours plus to 155 people over a two-year period. From the support received through the programme and as an unexpected outcome, 30 new businesses were established, which included retail, e-commerce, care, and recruitment services.
TREC is now the accountable body for the UKSF Empower Biz Leicester programme.
About the UKSPF project:
As the ‘co-ordinating agent’ TREC will influence and steer the programme strategy and implementation with overall responsibility for financial management, monitoring and reporting. Empower Biz Leicester is a comprehensive business support programme to empower and uplift businesses owned by Black entrepreneurs of all genders who have been running their businesses for more than 12 months.
The main target groups for support will be individuals who are of African/ African-Caribbean heritage including those of dual / mixed heritage born in the UK or across the globe. Comprising of the following main components, the programme will include:
The establishment of a Black Business Peer Network.
A programme of personalised support and guidance for participating entrepreneurs.
Master classes, workshops and skill development opportunities across a number of business-related themes.
Access to resources including information about funding opportunities, grants, and loans.
Showcasing and promotion opportunities, affording businesses the opportunity to profile their services and products, and through the establishment of the Leicester Black Business Conference and Exhibition.
Broker referrals to other business support services (e.g. the LLEP Business Growth Hub).
Capital improvements at the African Caribbean Centre to create a black business hub and co-working space.
For more information, or for a consultation please contact Empower Biz Leicester by phone on 0116 253 1053 or 0330 057 7885, or email them using the following addresses: Info@bglbalnow.com or info@highfieldscentre.ac.uk