BBE Events and Training

Current events

2026 Bexley Business Awards – Recognising Business Excellence

The 2026 Bexley Business Awards has returned for 2026. These awards celebrate the outstanding businesses that help our borough thrive. Taking place in May in the stunning backdrop of Hall Place in Bexley.

Bexley based businesses can now enter up to a max of 2 categories:

  • Bexley Business Awards – Open to all businesses across the London Borough of Bexley - Submit your entry
  • Bexleyheath High Street Awards – Exclusively for Bexleyheath BID Members - Enter here - Submit your entry
     

The closing date for entries is 6 February 2026

Free networking events for Bexley Businesses:

Wednesday 11 February 2026

Venue: Ninety Seven Bar, 97 Main Road, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 6ND
Time: 6pm to 8pm

Book a space

Wednesday 11 March 2026

Venue: Copper House Blackfen, 31 Wellington Parade, Blackfen Road, Sidcup, DA15 9NB
Time: 6pm to 8pm

Book a space

South East London Chamber of Commerce – Free SME business events

Bexley Link & Drink at The Star at Sidcup Place, Chislehurst Road, Sidcup, DA14 6BS. On Wednesday 4 February 2026 from 6pm to 8pm

Register for tickets

Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) – small business support and lobbying body

Spring into Success

FSB London Bootcamp – Wednesday 18 March 2026 from 8am to 3.30pm. Taking place at Sunley House, Croydon, CR0 2AP. 

Get tickets

London Business Partnerships – Free Business workshops:

Free Property Advice – Online Webinars:

  • Tuesday 24 February 2026

Find out more information and register

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 2026
  • 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 2026.

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

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

Peabody – Free Business Forums and Workshops

Thamesmead Apprenticeship Showcase

For young people aged between 14 to 25 and curious about apprenticeships, meet employers from construction, housing, engineering and more, learn about apprenticeships and different career routes, get support with your CV, interviews and employability skills, join short sessions that explain how apprenticeships work and get a free LinkedIn headshot.

This is a drop-in event so attendees can arrive anytime between 1pm to 4pm on Wednesday 18 February 2026 at The Nest, 3 Cygnet Square, Thamesmead SE2 9FA.

Small Business Britain - Supporting and celebrating small business success

The Small Business Awards 2026

Recognise inspirational small businesses, strong performance, and meaningful community engagement. Applications are free and open now, closing at midnight on 28 February 2026. The awards ceremony will take place on 21 May 2026. 

Find out more and apply

The Bot Up Your Business programme

This is supported by BT Group, to help small business owners use AI to boost marketing. Across four practical modules starting on March 5, from 10am to 11am participants will learn how AI can improve content creation, strengthen copywriting, and enhance social media campaigns. 

Register