What support we can offer

We're running an introductory workshop on 4th July 2012 at Growing Communities headquarters in Hackney. This is a free workshop and a chance for people interested in setting up a community-led box scheme to find out more about the Start-up Programme. Interested groups are then invited to apply.

If you're accepted onto the Start up Programme, you will then get: 

• Proven model: Access to all the tools, intellectual property and advice, developed by Growing Communities over the past 15 years;

• Training workshop: A 3 day training workshop covering managing finances; recruitment and marketing: ordering and logistics; managing people and tasks
• Mentoring: 18 months of mentoring (including financial health checks and telephone support) to take you up to the launch of your scheme and through to your first year of trading;
• Online toolkit: Access to a sophisticated and tailored online toolkit, incorporating a toolkit and action planning tool
• Peer Support: Access to a face book-style wall where you can communicate, share information and problem solve with Growing Communities and other start up groups;
• Loan Pot: Access to an interest free loan to help with capital costs (if necessary).

Cost of the programme

Charges only apply once you’ve been accepted onto the programme in October. An initial £450 deposit is then required. The total cost of the whole programme is £4000 but the remaining £3550 is only repaid once groups have successfully reached their second year of trading. We would at that point agree a suitable schedule of affordable monthly payments.  The fee is a contribution towards running costs and the money will be reinvested back into the Start-up Programme. There is no charge for the July workshop.

>> Read the Start-up Programme Q&A

>> Find out how you can apply for July 2012 introductory workshop