A new redundancy support event for Cornwall-based businesses and employers has launched online, hosted by one of the county’s leading business start-up support programmes.

Outset Cornwall joined forces with its sister programme Focus from the Outset to host Business Redundancy Support Live, an online event aimed at helping Cornish business owners and employers handle the redundancy process effectively and sympathetically.

Compered by BBC Radio Cornwall’s Daphne Skinnard, the event brought together a panel of knowledgeable experts from the Federation of Small Businesses, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, Sekoya, Cornwall Local Enterprise Partnership, Department for Work & Pensions and The People Hub, offering advice and practical insights to attendees from a range of businesses and organisations, who could also put their questions to the panel anonymously.

Speaking after the event, Daphne Skinnard commented: “It was a really informative session, with a great panel who all offered pearls of wisdom for employers. People seemed to like the security of being able to ask questions anonymously, and this worked really well, as we had some good questions. I think it’s definitely the start of a great series!”

Those who registered to attend the event will also now have access to a free downloadable Redundancy Support Toolkit containing printable posters, leaflets, content and social media posts which employers can use to help communicate with employees, plus useful guides including Business Cornwall’s “Survival Guide 2021”, published in the latest issue of the magazine.

Outset Cornwall’s Programme Director Kate Perkin, said: “Making redundancies is never easy, but it’s even more of a daunting prospect if you haven’t faced the situation before and are unsure of the steps you should take.

“Given that both Focus from the Outset and Outset Cornwall offer back to work or business start-up programmes that help overcome barriers, boost self-confidence and develop personal skills, and with so many indivduals being made redundant and needing more guidance on their future career options, we feel we’re in a unique position to assist businesses, employers and, of course, individuals.

“Our aim for this event was to provide up-to-date, relevant information that business owners and employers could use to bolster their existing redundancy packages and offer employees as much support, care and information as possible during such an incredibly difficult time, and I think our event really did achieve that.

“The feedback we’ve had so far has been incredibly positive; so much so that we’ve decided to make our downloadable toolkit available to any Cornish business or employer who registers via our website, and we’re also looking at potential dates to run more events like this in 2021, so watch this space!”

For more information, or to gain access to the free downloadable Redundancy Support Toolkit, visit https://www.outset.org/cornwall/programme/lets-focus-on-redundancy-support/