As the days count down to the closure of Elephant and Castle shopping centre, Tree Shepherd is working with traders to help them into new premises and assist those who haven’t been allocated new locations with their future business plans. To find out more about our work in Elephant and Castle or for more support please call us on 020 3948 3020 or email info@treeshepherd.org.uk
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Blog: 10 things COVID taught us about local businesses – CEO Colin Crooks
We are re-emerging… slowly but surely. It seems that the Thursday night clapping with our neighbours will soon be a distant memory, as will our cycle trips through empty streets, our excitement at the re-opening of a local coffee shop, or the pleasant chats with the owner of the corner shop or the beloved local grocer. Of course, it could not last forever. But as we start to pick up our new normal routines and go back to work, will we remember the warmth of these simple moments, the power of community, the value of local business? Lest we forget… […]
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Help for self-employed – new HOPE project launched
Are you self-employed? Has COVID hit your business hard? We know that roughly 3m people have been left with no financial assistance from the Government. To try and help some of our local neighbours who is self-employed, we are launching HOPE – a project offering a mix of workshops, courses, clinics and activities to help anyone with a business or working for themselves to get back on their feet. We’ve teamed up with Lambeth Council to fund this and we really want to hear from you.
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Blog: Self-employed excluded, again – Colin Crooks
Self-employed excluded, again: Mark Whittaker speaks for us all: How can we make do on zero income? Sunak’s scheme turns its back on 3m self-employed once more by Colin Crooks, CEO, Tree Shepherd Another day, another announcement from Rishi Sunak, another devastating blow to the self-employed. Once again, a set of positive new measures from the Chancellor for some, and a big cavernous hole for millions of self-employed up and down the country who are on the brink of financial, and emotional catastrophe. For many COVID is the latest, and worst, in a long line of mistreatment from the Government […]
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Bespoke decoupage art pieces from SA(L)VAGE ART
Laura Orsini, part of Tree Shepherd’s network, has created SA[L]VAGE ART, a colourful and unique creative art business based in London. She rescues these unwanted animal figurines and clothes them with paint and paper cut-outs. Their new, unique attires are provided in vibrant colours and elaborated motifs as a new lease of life for the animals and as a further inducement for people to invite affordable art into their homes. Découpage is a modern word for cutting paper and gluing it on a surface. This decorative art has a long and varied history: from the felt appliqués of Siberia, to […]
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Beautiful & Vibrant Unique, Upcycled Tote Bags from LedanjaSE27
Anja Tchadieukeu Nwawe began sewing in summer 2016. After watching lots of YouTube videos, she found an enthusiasm for sewing, and especially upcycling and using cloth that cried out for a second life. With time she started to craft vibrant and colourful bags from denim jeans and curtains, experimenting with designs, making unique and highly functional tote bags with several pockets and that are often reversible. Having made bags for friends and family, Anja decided it was time to show the world her creations and launched her own shop selling items at West Norwood Feast where she made connections who […]
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Face Masks & Costume Design For Theatre by Make It Studio
Martina Sgoifo is a costume designer who wanted to pass on to others the pride and independence she gained through the work that she does by empowering women so that they could work flexibly from home and so, Make It Studio was born. But, with the recent Coronavirus pandemic, the path has veered to take on so many other challenges, bringing a community together to contribute to a greater cause. Martina’s journey began when she went to a show with a friend, Emanuela Pagliei, one of the founders of Neon Performing Arts, and was asked what she thought of the […]
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Time for a turnaround for self-employed left out in the cold
by Colin Crooks, CEO, Tree Shepherd Marcus Rashford’s campaign for Free School Meals has shown us that a U-turn in the Government’s policies and purse strings is possible. It’s just a shame it takes a celebrity to do this. While we celebrate the Government finally coming to their senses, we know 3 million hard-working small business owners have been left out in the cold by the Government’s complex package of COVID support and are struggling to pay everyday bills. Ordinary, brave people, who took up the challenge of starting a business, to contribute to our economy, alongside part-time work and […]
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Statement from Tree Shepherd on Black Lives Matter: We Want to Hear from You
We have all seen in the news the shocking murder of George Floyd and on-going violence being perpetrated on black people worldwide. With the rest of the world, we condemn this appalling racism, and we also know that racism pervades many UK institutions and we deplore that fact. We have seen how many of our institutions are inherently racist and how the black community have to struggle daily to get a fair deal. By holding back future leaders, stifling entrepreneurship and forcing the black community to work much harder to achieve goals their white counterparts readily access, our country is increasing social tensions and losing out on so much talent. The Tree Shepherd family […]
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How to Start a Small Business for Yourself in 5 Steps (During Coronavirus – and any other time)
By Colin Crooks, CEO, Tree Shepherd You may be reading this during lockdown and thinking, “why would I want to even think about how to start my own business?” Firstly, if you have an idea and a passion for doing things in a particular way, this could be the best decision you will make. Whether it’s making face masks, becoming a florist, running a fashion business, selling cakes or teaching crafts online, there’s never been a better time to take the plunge. If you’re currently furloughed, you’ve recently become unemployed or you’ve been out of work for some time, this […]
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