Engine Shed, the Bristol innovation hub, is to extend its expertise and connections into two areas of the city that are under-represented in mainstream business.
The ground-breaking partnership with ACH (formerly Ashley Community Housing) and Barton Hill Settlement aims to support a more inclusive business environment for companies and entrepreneurs from the areas. 
The one-year pilot, which started this month, is funded by ACH, Engine Shed, pictured, the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and the University of Bristol.
Its first task will be to appoint an ‘entrepreneurial facilitator’ who will be employed by ACH and trained by it and Barton Hill Settlement, Engine Shed and SETsquared Bristol, the award-winning business incubator.
The pilot is the first of a number of projects the university is supporting as part of its commitment to engage with local communities ahead of it developing its new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus.
Unlike most publicly funded schemes, the partnership will focus on the quality and length of relationships, rather than volume. The entrepreneurial facilitator will support entrepreneurs and established business owners, initially in Bristol’s newly arrived communities and those based around Barton Hill.
Engine Shed, which is a key part of Bristol’s existing business support ecosystem, will support the facilitator with coaching, mentoring and connections into the city’s business networks.
Engine Shed director Nick Sturge said the project was part of its mission to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the region.
“Engine Shed’s wealth of business connections will help us in providing wider access to business support for under-represented communities and facilitating vital networking opportunities for entrepreneurs in newly arrived communities,” he said.
West of England Mayor Tim Bowles added: “WECA is proud to support this new initiative, through our Growth Hub, and to help ensure support for businesses is even more accessible and reflects our diverse communities.
“This partnership project will open up new opportunities for business that want to grow and succeed, and it will help boost skills and drive economic growth.”
ACH is a social enterprise specialising in the resettlement of refugees through labour market and social integration. It provides safe, secure, and comfortable housing combined with culturally sensitive support and employability skills training. ACH’s unique approach focuses on building individuals’ resilience in the labour market, upskilling, and supporting refugees into sustainable, higher level employment in order to develop their independence and ease their integration into life in the UK.
Barton Hill Settlement provides services, facilities, and community development to Barton Hill and surrounding areas of the inner city and east Bristol.
The project will be evaluated throughout the year to establish its effectiveness and will seek funding partners to secure a long-term programme after the first 12 months.
Any businesses or entrepreneurs wishing to get involved should contact ACH or Barton Hill Settlement. Any individuals interested in the role of entrepreneurial facilitator should contact nazim.hoque@ashleyhousing.com at ACH to apply.
