COVID-19 Recovery Funds Programme
The SELEP COVID-19 Recovery Funds Programme was a £4.1m programme of support in the areas of business support and skills. It was designed and delivered to support the recovery of the economy in 2021 and 2022, investing directly in those areas across the South East most affected by the pandemic, and providing businesses and individuals with the tools they needed to build resilience and emerge stronger.
Our COVID-19 Recovery Funds events, support activities and grants have now come to an end. We continue to celebrate and learn from the impact that these programmes have had on businesses and upskilling alike, and have collated post-programme evaluation reports and case studies to share.
If you would like specific information about these programmes, please email hello@southeastlep.com
SELEP COVID-19 BUSINESS SUPPORT FUND: £2.4m
What was it?
A package of learning, advice and mentoring, and full support to new entrepreneurs to ensure greater survival and build resilience during the pandemic. The package included an online programme of:
- business start-up courses;
- 1-2-1 consultations;
- specialist week-long events;
- 24/7 start-up app; and
- a portfolio of online learning materials.
In addition, the programme offered 100% small business grants of up to £2,000 to participants.
Who was it aimed at?
This scheme was designed for pre-start and start-up businesses, as well as for those made redundant or unemployed as a result of COVID-19.
Final Evaluation
SELEP Starting and Succeeding in Business Final Evaluation March 2023
Case Studies
06 WSX Case Study – Boost Academy
Ramsgate Arts Barge
Maverick Boat Adventures
Maldon Deckchair Company
Inkbound
Herbert Baker Furniture
Salient Knives
What was it?
A programme of online learning to build digital capacity and help businesses become more resilient and effective as trading norms changed almost overnight because of pandemic lockdowns. The programme consisted of:
- 100% online business support, including workshops and masterclasses;
- online awareness events;
- 1-2-1 consultations;
- specialist week-long events; and
- a pool of online support resources.
In addition, the programme offered 100% small business grants of up to £2,000 to participants.
Who was it for?
This scheme was designed for business owners and their staff, who wanted to explore and adapt their operations with digital tools and techniques. This included key businesses with the potential to drive growth, businesses that had the capacity to create jobs, and those at risk of redundancy due to the pandemic.
Final Evaluation
SELEP Adapting with Digital Final Evaluation March 2023
Case Studies
05 WSX Case Study – Pasta Rasta
Ramsgate Arts Barge
Maverick Boat Adventures
Maldon Deckchair Company
Inkbound
Herbert Baker Furniture
Salient Knives
What was it?
The Revi-VE programme was a package of support designed specifically to aid the recovery of the hard-hit Visitor Economy, delivering long-term resilience and adaptation of the industry to a post-COVID world.
The programme was delivered by a consortium of Visitor Economy partners across the South-East:- Visit Kent, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Visit Essex, Sussex Modern, and East Sussex County Council.
Who was it for?
The programme consisted of two elements, with different beneficiaries.
- Element 1 – Revi-VE South East Visitor Economy Fund – was a 100% small business grant scheme of up to £3,000 for visitor economy businesses that needed immediate financial assistance to respond to changes in the market caused by the lockdown.
- Element 2 – Revi-VE Place-based networks and campaigns – this was an initiative to develop a network of visitor economy and destination management organisations, partners, and businesses across the SELEP Region. The network was then used to design and deliver a series of destination brand campaigns for Kent, Essex and East Sussex, to increase visitor confidence, footfall and spend. This would also support wider economic recovery by improving perceptions of the region’s destinations.
Final Evaluation
SELEP CV19 REVIVE Grant Programme Evaluation Report March 2023
SELEP CV19 REVIVE Place Marketing Campaign Evaluation Report March 2023
Case Studies
Revi-Ve Grant Case Study – Smarter Society – Kent Farmers Market Association
Revi-Ve Grant Case Study – Smarter Society – Red2Red
Revi-Ve Grant Case Study – Smarter Society – the Alma Copford
SELEP SKILLS COVID-19 RECOVERY FUND: £1.75m
What was it?
Training + Equipment + Internet Access
The programme aimed to provide kit, connectivity, and access to basic digital training where this is a barrier to work or training. The package comprised:
- Online digital training sessions;
- A tablet and/or data sim card for eligible beneficiaries; and
- A multi-channel digital skills service accessible via phone, a remote trainer, and 1-2-1 at home and local group centre support across the SELEP region.
Who was it for?
The scheme was for individuals who had become unemployed or redundant because of COVID-19 and were at risk of digital exclusion. Individuals just had to be based in the SELEP area, and have a clear need for digital kit and/or connectivity that was preventing their access to work and training.
Final Evaluation and Case Study
Evaluation report and case study – We are Digital
What was it?
An initiative to provide 200 individuals with:
- Training to level 4 in software, data, cyber and cloud skills
- Certification upon completion (in partnership with BCS, Microsoft and AWS)
Course completion would allow graduates to be offered a pathway into entry-level jobs in the most in-demand roles as determined by cross sector research on digital and technical skills gaps, through a programme of employer partnerships.
Who was it for?
The offer was to help individuals in the SELEP region – particularly those from typically disadvantaged communities – to pursue successful careers in tech. This included those:
- facing barriers to inclusion through socio-economic disadvantages;
- who are unemployed as a result of the pandemic;
- who are female and/or female identifying;
- from ethnically minoritized communities;
- who are neurodivergent;
- who haven’t been encouraged in school to study technical subjects or who haven’t had the opportunity to attend university.
Final Evaluation
Evaluation report (Tech Talent)
Case Studies
Amal success story (Tech Talent)
David success story (Tech Talent)
Tatiana success story (Tech Talent)
What was it?
A training and skills programme for 1,002 people, recently unemployed or made redundant due the impact of COVID19.
Who was it for?
This scheme was designed for individuals in disadvantaged areas, low paid workforces, and ethnic minority groups, which were all disproportionately impacted by the COVID19 pandemic. The hardest hit sectors included non-food retail, and hospitality and tourism, and so the scheme also provided training for individuals recently unemployed or made redundant.
Final Evaluation
Evaluation report (Shaw Trust)
Case Studies
Case study Essex and East Sussex (Shaw Trust)
Case study Medway (Shaw Trust)