Amplify Barking & Dagenham

Amplify Success! Helping Local Businesses Thrive

Our comprehensive business support initiative Amplify was implemented over the last several months in collaboration with Barking and Dagenham Council and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Designed to support the growth of the local economy and business community of Barking and Dagenham, the Amplify programme focused on the proactive development of local businesses, with the objective to provide them access to new opportunities and markets.

Enterprise participants from three separate cohorts received support through tailored bootcamp sessions, one-to-one mentoring, practical skills workshops, and industry-focused spotlight events.

Amplify also piloted a construction-focused segment alongside its core programme. This pilot aimed to address sector-specific challenges and primarily assist businesses and individuals within the sector, helping them to improve their readiness to supply.

The food and care sectors were also identified as key local industries requiring unique business support.

Striving for Equality and Diversity

Through the Amplify programme we successfully engaged a diverse group of business owners, indicative of the borough’s demographics.

The programme achieved a balanced gender split, we are really proud of this as most of our former programmes were very much female driven. Additionally, the age range of participants included representation from all adult age brackets. Most notably; 13.7% each from the 30–34 and 45–49 age groups, followed closely by 12.3% from both the 35–39 and 55–59 ranges. A notable 15.3% preferred not to disclose their age.

Ethnic diversity was also well represented with 32.8% of participants identifying as Black, Black British, Caribbean or African, 27.4% as White British, 13.7% as Asian or Asian British and 6% from other white backgrounds. Smaller percentages identified as mixed or other ethnic groups, while 16.4% chose not to disclose their ethnicity.

Overall, the programme showed our collaborative commitment to inclusion, having reached a varied group of participants.

Food Grants

As part of Amplify, LBBD provided significant funding for local businesses through the awarding of 10 food grants. Beneficiary selection considered those aligning with the borough’s Good Food Charter, that encourages businesses to purchase sustainably, cater to diverse communities, offer healthier options, and reduce food waste.

49 businesses applied for grants with 10 having clearly demonstrated their commitment to these principles.

Amplify Outcomes Achieved (based on the UKSPF criteria)

1.Developing access to new products, processes or service that helped growth	40%
2. Engaging in new markets /creating a new business plan	36%
3. Improving processes/management practice	39%
4. Unblocking an issue which prevented growth	40%
5. Improved sustainability	36%

Amplify Success Stories

The greatest success of the programme is felt through the sharing of personal experiences and testimonies of cohort participants.

Read about Wedzerai Takawira and Expanding Recruitcare Professionals With The Amplify Programme. Discover How Bridge Care Group Thrived with the BEC Amplify Programme and hear from Khadijat Fashola from how she found purpose through the Amplify programme. Michael Pritchett also weighs in on his experience, discussing Kemp Services, Grit, and the Amplify Programme.

Testimonies

Rod Miller – Construction & Maintenance Ltd (GAM)
“Amplify helped us secure contracts worth over £60,000 and opened doors to major public sector opportunities.”

Security Projects UK Ltd – Kane White
“Thanks to Amplify, we streamlined hiring and unlocked public procurement routes that set us up for long-term growth.”

Recruitcare Professionals – Wedzerai Takawira
“With Amplify’s mentoring, I rebuilt our digital presence. Now we are growing, attracting clients, and expanding services.”

Nomie’s Kitchen – Vivian Ebillah
“Amplify took Nomie’s Kitchen from home-based to thriving. Now we have new premises, more platforms, and funding for sustainable growth.”