BBE Events and Training

Current events

Bexley Linkup – Connecting with businesses

These are free networking events, open to all Bexley-based businesses, a perfect opportunity to grow your network, share ideas, and celebrate local success.

  • Bexley Linkup August Meeting - The Hangar Welling, 35 Bellegrove Rd, Welling,  DA16 3PB on Wednesday 12 August at 6:00 pm. Reserve a space now
 
  • Bexley Linkup September Meeting - The Rusty Bucket Pub, 3, Mill Row, Bexley DA5 1LA on Wednesday 9 September at 6.00pm. Reserve a space now
 
  • Bexley Linkup October Meeting - Sporting Club Thamesmead, Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, SE28 8NJ on Wednesday 14 October at 6.00 pm. Booking details coming soon.
 
  • Bexley Linkup November Meeting - Copper House Blackfen, 31, Wellington Parade, Blackfen Rd, Sidcup DA15 9NB on Wednesday 11 November at 6.00 pm. Booking details coming soon.
 
  • Bexley Linkup Christmas Special - Royal Standard, 39 Nuxley Rd, Belvedere, DA17 5JN on Wednesday 9 December at 6.00 pm. Booking details coming soon.

Refilling the Well – free wellbeing workshops

Refilling the Well workshops are designed to equip people with the skills, insights and understanding they need to manage their health and wellbeing.

What the workshop includes:

  • enhanced wellbeing
  • increased self- confidence
  • raised motivation
  • increased social contacts
  • manage health and wellbeing to progress into employment
     

The focus is to make people feel included and successful in establishing new habits and developing life-long wellbeing practice."

Workshop details:

June 2025 to March 2027
  • Duration: 11 weeks
  • Schedule: 4 hours per week
  • Dates: Courses are due to start on a variety of dates between June 2025 and March 2026
  • Time: 10am to 2pm (with light lunch included) 

Eligibility criteria:

Attendees must be unemployed and living in the borough of Bexley.

Location:

Ground floor of the Civic offices.

Contact Information:


Don’t miss this opportunity to improve your health and wellbeing.

Complete the form

Refilling the Well in association with The Proper Blokes Club

Free wellbeing workshops and walks to help men talk

This course offers wellbeing workshops teaching you new habits to look after your physical and mental health as well as group walks with the Proper Blokes Club. Just ordinary blokes going for a walk, sharing banter, and helping each other deal with life’s pressures. Don’t suffer in silence. Join us today and let’s get walking and talking.

What the course includes:

  • enhanced wellbeing
  • increased self confidence
  • raised motivation
  • increase social contacts
  • manage health and wellbeing to progress into employment
  • access to work experience placements
  • mental health walks with the "Proper blokes club"

11 week programme, 4 hours a week

Course details

  • time: 10am to 2pm (with a light lunch included)
  • email: contactBBE@bexley.gov.uk
  • phone: 020 3045 3800
  • location: 2 Watling Street, DA6 7AT
  • start date: The course is starting with a walking session/coffee morning on 16 September

 

Eligibility

Attendees must be unemployed and living in the borough of Bexley.

Step ahead

Looking to boost your skills and get into work? Join our Step Ahead employment and we will help you achieve:

  • Level 1 Business Administration and Retail
    • the course is 2 days a week (Wednesday and Thursday) for 6 weeks 9.30am to 1pm
    • portfolio based/ no exams
Topics covered:
 
  • letter and report writing
  • sending and compiling business emails
  • designing leaflets and posters
  • using equipment
  • Health and Safety at Work/Company legislations
  • general administrative duties
  • customer service skills
  • administrative Planning Aids

What else?

  • you will also be given the opportunity of gaining a recognised IT qualification too!
  • you will be supported by an experienced Employment Advisor who will help you to update your CV and apply for jobs
  • you will be introduced to our Employer Engagement
    team who are working with local employers to fill
    their vacancies
  • you will be supported to take part in a 30 hour work experience placement with a local employer *
  • you will have access to some financial support to help you start work, e.g. travel and clothing assistance
  • you will receive in-work support once you start work


Courses start 18 June 2025 with further courses and employment support available up to March 2027.

Call: 020 3045 3800
Email: contactBBE@bexley.gov.uk

*You must be able to complete the 30-hour work placement.

London Business Partnerships – Free business workshops

Understanding Leases, Business Rates, and Rates Reliefs - The London Business Partnership offers a free Property Advice Service where you can receive expert guidance on everything from lease negotiations to business rates and relief schemes. Join their upcoming free webinar to get your commercial property questions answered live by expert advisors. Taking place on Tuesday, 15 September, at 10:00 am. This webinar will be delivered online.

Book your place

CNT Associates – Supporting SMEs

Funding & Support for Health & Wellbeing Projects

A webinar exploring funding opportunities for wellbeing projects, including charitable trusts, government funding, social investment, private sector and crowdfunding. This workshop is ideal for anyone looking to develop a wellbeing project, support staff wellbeing, or access grants and funding opportunities. Taking place on Wednesday, 16 September 2026 from 11am to 12pm. This webinar will be delivered online via Zoom. 
 

Enterprise Nation - Business support, webinars, events and expert advice

Enterprise Nation hosts a wide range of webinars, workshops and networking events designed to help entrepreneurs and small businesses learn, connect and grow. Browse their events calendar to find upcoming sessions and opportunities.

Book a space

Small Business Britain – Supporting and celebrating small business success:

  • The Great British Pitch USA: Small Business Britain is giving UK firms an incredible opportunity to pitch directly to international buyers in the USA via livestream. On Tuesday 8 Sept | In-Person Central London. Sectors include: Food & Drink, Retail, & Consumer.

Register your interest

  • Back to School with AI: Your Questions Answered: Join Small Business Britain & BT for a free webinar with AI expert Cheryl Laidlaw. Learn 3 practical AI tasks for your business & get your questions answered live. Date: Thu 27 August, 10am.

Register your interest

  • AI in Your Business: Curious to Confident: Join Small Business Britain & BT for a free 2-part webinar series on building practical AI systems, time-saving workflows & reusable templates. Part 1: Thu 3 September, 10am and Part 2: Thu 10 September, 10am.

Register your interest

Grow Local London – Supporting SME’s in London

Connect with entrepreneurs who understand the small business hustle at Grow London Local Lates! Taking place on Thursday 20 August 2026 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at The Sky Bar Eltham, 168 Eltham High St, London SE9 1BJ. 

Get tickets

South East London Chamber of Commerce – free SME business events

The South East London Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Barclays Bank, is hosting a business breakfast with Louie French MP. 

Gain policy insights, discuss SME challenges, and network at:

  • The Star at Sidcup Place, Chislehurst Rd, DA14 6BS
  • Friday 11 September 2026 from 8am to 10am

Register now

Wenta

Join the Watford Enterprise Agency (Wenta) for free webinars on website development, tax, and bookkeeping and other essential business skills.

For entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small business owners looking to build core business knowledge. Browse their events calendar to find upcoming sessions and opportunities.

Find out more about the webinars

HMRC Webinars support for businesses and the self-employed

Record keeping for the self-employed

Residential property income for individuals – an introduction

Capital allowances for the self-employed

Residential property income for individuals - expenses and deductions

Car expenses for the self-employed

Business expenses for the self-employed

Talking Business Live – Funding for Business

 Bexley Business and Employment (BBE) and CNT Associates are joining forces to bring local businesses an informative Talking Business Live: Funding for Business event. Join expert speakers and event sponsors for practical advice, guidance, and support on accessing finance, applying for grants, managing business finances, and discovering funding opportunities across the area.

Meet the Sponsors and Speakers:

  • Allica Bank: Practical guidance on identifying and applying for SME funding, preparing successful loan applications, and managing business finances

  • Greenwich and Bexley Credit Union: Overview of affordable financial products for the local community, including personal loans and the proposed Community Development Fund

  • DJH Bexley: Insights into key financial metrics, avoiding costly mistakes, and using financial data to support long-term growth
  • CNT Associates: Strategies for finding, applying for, and securing business grant funding
  • Bexley Business and Employment (BBE): Details on council support, local resources, and upcoming funding opportunities

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, 23rd September

Time: 11am to 1pm (includes networking session)

Venue: The Engine House Bexley, 2 Veridion Way, Erith, DA18 4AL

Extras: Light refreshments provided

Who Should Attend?

Start-ups, entrepreneurs, and established SMEs looking for grants, finance options, or expert financial advice while networking with local business peers.

Places are limited, advance booking is required.

Book your space