Networking Groups
Women's Institute (Somerset)
Somerset branch of the WI website
For the main, national website go to: www.womens-institute.co.uk
Business Enhancing Experiences (B.E.E.)
Designed by women for women, joining a BEE group will help you to grow your business in the company of like-minded people with fun, support, action, learning and challenge. The programme involves joining five other like-minded women to talk through issues affecting your business. The cost for six meetings is only £100 +vat.
For more information please call Kath on 01460 234581 or e-mail kath.gigg@btinternet.com
Business Network International
They meet weekly for breakfast, with a positive attitude for business and focus on supporting the members within their chapter.
Details: www.bni.com
4 Networking
Have recently started up their business group - another morning breakfast meeting organisation, fortnightly in Taunton, Bridgwater and Yeovil to date, but with plans for expansion
Details: www.4networking.biz
BSN (SW) Ltd
Church House, Church Road , Exeter EX2 9AZ
0845 643 9495
Details: www.businesssupportnetwork.com
Geoff Dymond
Offers a lunchtime activity, once a month, over lunch, companies meet and find out more about each others' businesses.
Details: emma.webber@dymondpromotions.co.uk
Di Litten
Breakfast Business Meeting group in Cheddar, at the Riverside Restaurant.
They meet fortnightly on 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. (£10.00 for breakfast - £1.00 of this for charity and a membership of £50.00 per annum).
Details contact Di on 01934 744772 dilitten@c3s.co.uk
Advantage SouthWest
Based in Bridgwater - a small business group. Meet less formally bi-monthly, but they have marquees at all the major agricultural shows in the South West which they sub-let at reasonable prices.
Details: judi@butterworthjones.co.uk
Rural Women's Network - Somerset
Access point for all women in Somerset, with signposting for events, training, funding, help groups,
Contact Katherine Armstrong on info@rwn-somerset.org.uk or by phone on 07980 224351 or 01823 331222 (landline)
Farms Groups
Locally organised groups of Farmers (including spouses and other family members) who meet together about once a month in an informal environment.
Businesses, network groups and much more. Quarterly meetings for those who support and advise others.
SWIRE
Somerset Women In Rural Enterprise network meet informally, once a month usually, in the evening with guest speakers
Details: kath.gigg@btinternet.com or www.somersetwire.org
South Somerset West Dorset WiRE Network
Rural women's network that meets monthly in Yeovil and the surrounding area.
Details: Philippa Nugent
Mendip Business Women's Forum
Useful network for Mendip women:, further details available from elainegodley@googlemail.com
Frome On Line - Small Business Networking
Meet every other Tuesday for breakfast 7.00 - 9.00 Frome Town Football Club.
www.fromeonline.co.uk
New to Somerset?
Information for people new to living and working in Somerset.
www.newtosomerset.com
Women into the Network
Effective Business Support for Women
www.womenintothenetwork.co.uk
Single Parent Action Network
A new publication from SPAN covering "How to run a self help group". Written for single parents who are thinking of setting up a self help group or who are struggling to keep one going or who want to know how to do it better.
Priced at £15 per copy, the book can be purchased from SPAN, Millpond, Baptist Street, Easton, Bristol BS5 0YW. Tel. 0117 951 4231
Other Groups
Taunton Vale Disability Club
For anyone with a disability or sensory loss. Meets every Monday at West Monkton Village hall 9.30am to 3.30pm. Games, quizzes, computers, crafts. Contact Mark – 01823 259609, Jay – 01823 251670 or Marwood 01823 354465 for more information or turn up any Monday.
Somerset Fundraisers’ Group
The main purpose of the group is for those in Somerset with a genuine interest in funding for the voluntary/community sector (VCS) to network with other fundraisers and to share information.
Meetings will be held quarterly and speakers from a variety of funding agencies will be invited to address the group from time to time.
A membership subscription will be payable in April of each year.
As a member of SFG, you will also be entitled to free membership of the Practical Fundraising Association www.practicalfundraising.co.uk for 1 year. Benefits include: free email newsletters giving practical advice on different areas of fundraising, ‘Ask an Expert’ – email any fundraising questions you may have and get a personal reply, discounts on a range of services and free online publications from this Summer.
For details contact Lindy Booth on lindy@vistaproject.org.uk or Tel: 01458 259487
SWEDA Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders Association
Exists to provide support for those people with eating disorders. Sweda offer support in the form of a telephone helpline for sufferers and carers, personal contact, a low cost counselling service, website and penpal scheme, help for 18-25 year olds. Supported self-help programme, supported housing and complementary therapies. 01458 448600
admin@swedauk.org
www.swedauk.org
Green Drinks
Somerset Green Drinks is a monthly social event organised by local writer on downshifting and sustainable living, Tracey Smith. It's for anyone in the area interested in green issues and caring for their local and global environment. It's a great way to catch up with friends, thrash out new ideas, or just chill out with people who share your values.
It takes place on the 3rd Thursday of every month and starts at 7.30pm at The Gallery, 6A Holyrood Street, Chard.
tracey@downshiftingweek.com
www.greendrinks.org (Click on UK and then Somerset)
Somerset Car Share Scheme
It takes two to make a difference. Why not consider car sharing?
To register you interest and search for other car sharers with no obligation, have a look at the website:
www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/ete/transport/travel2work/car/carshare