Events

Businesses are more aware than ever of the need to operate in a way that's environmentally sustainable. But what does it really mean? What kinds of things should a business look at? 

It can be really hard to know where to start, what your priorities should be, or how to overcome some of the trickier challenges for your particular business - whether that's your carbon emissions, reducing waste or another environmental impact.

Join us for this free hour-long session, jam-packed with practical information to help you get on the right track, along with some inspiration from local businesses that have already had some successes on their journey. 

We’re delighted to kick this session off with a talk from Zoe Arnold-Bennett from Shed 1 Distillery Ulverston, winner of The Gin Guide Environmental Sustainability Award in 2020 and 2021 and Helen Lawrie from multi award-winning Land & Sky Media. Zoe and Helen will talk about the action they’ve taken to reduce their environmental impacts and how they’ve embedded sustainability into their businesses. 

Next, you'll hear from our panel of advisers (see below), sharing hands-on experience of supporting businesses to reduce their environmental impact, including how to measure your carbon footprint, how to embed sustainability in your organisation and get environmental accreditation, and what support and funding is available to you in Cumbria. 

You'll then have a chance to discuss your own ideas, aspirations and the challenges you are facing with our advisers, who will help you define the next steps towards reaching your environmental goals.

The session will be an hour long, with an optional extra half an hour for discussion.

We're able to offer this event free of charge thanks to support from South Lakeland District Council and Electricity North West.

Number of places

There are just 12 places available for this event, to allow personalised discussions during the break-out sessions. Places are limited to one per business.

Eligibility

The sessions will be most appropriate for small to medium businesses (SMEs).

Priority will be given to businesses based or operating in South Lakeland district and in the communities of Keswick, Alston Moor and Halton-with-Aughton, due to the nature of our funding for the event.

If you're based outside these areas, please do go through the booking process. It is likely that there will be enough places for everyone, but we will confirm your place a few days before the event.

Preparation

Before the event, you may wish to try our free and easy-to-use carbon footprint calculator, which will help identify the areas of your business that have the greatest impact on climate change. You may also wish to have a look at the advice section for businesses on our website.

Meet the advisers

The session will be supported by up to three sustainable business advisers (depending upon the number of bookings). They are: 

Tim Maiden from Green Small Business

Green Small Business supports small businesses to manage their environmental impacts and offers an environmental certification scheme. They use a simple framework that is sufficiently light touch for small businesses, while also being systematic and robust. More than 20 South Lakes businesses are now Green Small Business certified, with further businesses across the rest of Cumbria and the UK. They include hospitality, retail, manufacturing, various service sectors and charities. Green Small Business provides direct, high-level advice covering topics such energy, water, waste and transport. They also offer signposting to more specialist support, using their extensive directory of products and services.

Karen Bentley-Brown from Future Fixers

Future Fixers specialises in supporting businesses to develop their triple bottom line - that is, supporting you to develop a strategy that has a positive impact on people and planet whilst also making a profit. Future Fixers helps identify areas where businesses can be greener, from supply chain to customer. Importantly, it advises on how to embed this ethos into your whole business strategy. The team can also run training sessions for your staff to make sure that everyone is on board with the green agenda. You can also get support to make the most of your green credentials in your marketing activity. Future Fixers has particular knowledge of sustainable tourism, a wide range of experience beyond this and a background in working for environmental organisations.

Nick Lancaster from Lancaster and Lancaster

Nick has a track record of leading and growing a commercially successful organisation (Langdale Estate, Brimstone Hotel and Spa) while ensuring it operated with consideration of its environmental footprint, its impact on the local community and its responsibility to its employees and shareholders. Subsequently he worked with cafés, a distillery, garden centre, pottery and cultural experience. This has provided him with a range of experience and knowledge that is adaptable and relevant to many local businesses that may be looking for help, support, reassurance or just an idea about how to start to reduce their contribution to the climate change emergency.

Tim, Karen and Nick will be supported by Molly Hogg and Roe Baker (CAfS) and Chris Hodgson (Ambleside Action for a Future and owner of Haven Cottage B&B in Ambleside).

Other dates

There are three dates to choose from. This booking is for Tuesday 8 June, 2pm.

To book for one of our other dates instead, please use the links below:
Wednesday 30 June, 12pm
Thursday 15 July, 7pm

Can't make these dates? We may run more of these sessions in the autumn. Please email [email protected] to register an interest.

MORE INFORMATION

Cost - This event is free to attend.

Venue - This event will be held via Zoom. Once you regsiter, you'll receive a link to join the event. 

Recording - This event will not be recorded.

Help with joining this event

Are you not sure how to use Zoom but would like to attend our event? If you don't have a friend or family member who can help you get set up, we'd be happy to help you in advance. Please contact us as soon as possible. You can phone us on 01768 210276 during normal office hours (Tue to Fri) or email [email protected].

Unfortunately, we aren't able to offer technical support at the time of the event.

This event is part of our ongoing programme of Green Build & Sustainable Living events. Keep an eye on our website for more events throughout the year!