support | Make Your Mark

Next Step: The BDA (Bedford Development Agency)

This is a free service run by Bedford Borough Council, it has strong links with training and funding providers, local private sector businesses and social enterprises. The BDA can identify suitable retail/ office properties that are available in Bedford Borough and will keep you up to date with a regular e-newsletter.

Next Step: Prevista

Prevista provides a wide range of part and fully subsidised business support and advice.

Next Step: Leonard Cheshire

If you want to be the next Peter Jones and have a disability, the clever folks at Leonard Cheshire are always on hand to help.

Inspiring Story: Suzy Miller

Mother, blogger, mentor and founder of two businesses; Suzy’s story proves the power of starting over.

Inspiring Story: Success for first winner of ‘Make Your Mark in The Mall’

Lisa Gosling has confirmed expansion plans for Daisy’s Dog Deli after observing successful sales results in the six month rent free period that she won in the Make Your Mark in The Mall competition.

Inspiring Story: A true entrepreneur

One of the first dot com millionaires and Channel 4’s first Secret Millionaire is now focused on developing technology with social and environmental aims.

Inspiring Story: Maria Zedda

Maria is profoundly deaf and has drawn on her experiences to build Wideaware, which provides disability equality training to organisations across the UK.

Next Step: Designing Demand

A new programme developed by the Design Council to help you get full value from design. It will give you the skills you need to spot how design can boost performance and it will help you seize new-found design opportunities.

Next Step: The Guild

Based in Norwich, The Guild works with many organisations and individuals in the East of England. The Guild has established a national reputation as a leading support organisation within the voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors.

Next Step: Rural Women’s Network

The Rural Women’s Network (RWN) was set up in 2001 through Voluntary Action Cumbria and the North West of England to help women in Cumbria realise their full potential through business support and the development of personal and workplace skills.