Business Training Programme
Horsham District Council's Business Training Programme is an exciting series of business training workshops, designed to provide skills development and enhanced opportunities for local businesses to share and learn from the latest best practice.
The programme covers a wide range of topics using a blend of online and in-person formats. Course content is delivered by locally based business experts in their fields.
Please note:
- For each workshop, there is a maximum of 1 place per business. Please contact us if you need more places.
- These courses are being provided by Horsham District Council for businesses in the Horsham District. Some courses have a nominal cost to the tickets with the remainder being paid by the Council on behalf of businesses.
- To find public transport options for workshop locations, visit the Traveline website
Contents
- Access current training opportunities
- Explore 2027 training opportunities (bookings launch 4 December 2026)
- Past workshops
- Let us know your business training needs
Current training opportunities
Here is a list of training opportunities which are available to book or access now:
- How to Create a Strategy for Business Growth 121 Support
- Business and Tax Advice 121 Support
- SALSA Go Programme: Safe and Local Supplier Approval for Food and Drink Producers
- How to Make the Most of Your Market Stall Tops Tips Video Series
- Sales and Negotiation Skills Quiz
2027 training opportunities
Here is a list of training opportunities which will be available to book from Friday 4 December 2026:
Business management
- What If Nothing Held You Back?
- Getting AI Working for Your Business
- The Blindspot Business Growth Accelerator
- Carbon Literacy for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
- The Hidden Edge
- The Blindspot Spotlight: Money Mindset & Pricing Power
- Build Your First AI Agent
Health and wellbeing
Business marketing
- Social Media Content for Facebook and Instagram
- Product Photography Workshop for Small Businesses
- Putting Yourself On Camera
- Instagram Reels
- Power Presenter for Business
- Introduction to Video Editing for Business
- Leveraging LinkedIn For Business
- Master Your Mobile: Selfies & BTS for Business
- Introduction to Podcasting
Sign up to our business support e-newsletter to be notified when bookings launch.
Sign up to the Council's business e-newsletter
Social Media Content for Facebook and Instagram
- Date: Tuesday, 19 January 2027
- Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm
- Location: WDR Park Lodge, 60 London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AY
Join Michelle Betts from ByJove Media for this practical half-day course. Learn how to generate content ideas from the business you already have, create a useful mix of content rather than constantly selling, write stronger captions and hooks, make better use of photos and video, and plan ahead so social media becomes more manageable.
Discover how people are finding businesses online now, the role of keywords and searchable content, and how AI can support your content creation without making everything you post sound as though it was written by a robot.
Leave with plenty of ideas, a clearer approach to Facebook and Instagram and practical ways to create content that supports your business without social media taking over your life.
Booking link launches Friday 4 December 2026
Product Photography Workshop for Small Businesses
- Date: Wednesday, 20 January 2027
- Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm
- Location: Mulberry Place, Old Guildford Road, Broadbridge Heath, Horsham, RH12 3JT
Master the art of shooting your own products, no expensive studio gear required!
Join Sophie Ward Photography for this hands-on workshop which helps small business owners create striking, professional images using simple equipment and practical techniques.
Bring your products, your everyday camera or phone, and get ready to make your brand stand out!
Booking link launches Friday 4 December 2026
What If Nothing Held You Back?
- Date: Thursday, 21 January 2027
- Time: 10am to 11.30am
- Location: WDR Park Lodge, 60 London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AY
Join Kate Hearn from Kate Hearn Coaching for this masterclass created for small business owners who are ready to get clear, get connected, and get intentional about the year ahead.
Using three of the most powerful questions you'll ever ask yourself, you'll shift your mindset, uncover new possibilities, and leave with inspired actions you can take straight away.
Booking link launches Friday 4 December 2026
Putting Yourself On Camera
- Date: Monday, 25 January 2027
- Time: 10am to 5pm
- Location: Freedom Works, The Courtyard, 30 Worthing Road, Horsham, RH12 1SL
Join Geoff from Silvertip Films for a full day workshop which looks at how to build your on-camera presenting confidence. You’ll plan a 1 minute piece-to-camera about yourself, try reading from an autocue, discuss planning and scripting your own content and do a practical demo video too!
Booking link launches Friday 4 December 2026
Emergency First Aid at Work
Join Jenny Legg from Training Legs First Aid for a 1-day FAA Level 3 Award course, providing training for businesses on a variety of emergency first aid situations in the workplace.
Course dates will be available to book in Storrington, Pulborough and Horsham, with the booking links launching Friday 4 December 2026.
Emergency First Aid at Work: Storrington
- Date: Tuesday, 26 January 2027
- Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Location: Chanctonbury Leisure Centre, Spierbridge Rd, Storrington, RH20 4BG
Emergency First Aid at Work: Pulborough
- Date: Thursday, 18 February 2027
- Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Location: Pulborough Village Hall, Swan View, Pulborough RH20 2BF
Emergency First Aid at Work: Horsham
- Date: Tuesday, 23 March 2027
- Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Location: WDR Park Lodge, 60 London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AY
Getting AI Working for Your Business
- Date: Wednesday, 27 January 2027
- Time: 9am to 12pm
- Location: WDR Park Lodge, 60 London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AY
Join Mary Kemp from AI Potential for this workshop on Practical AI, not tech for tech's sake.
You will leave with a real use case and the three rules that unlock most of what AI can do: ask the right question, give it context, review and improve. The workshop will also cover how to show up now that customers search through AI, not just Google, with prompts you can run yourself.
Booking link launches Friday 4 December 2026
The Blindspot Business Growth Accelerator
- Date: Thursday, 28 January, 25 February and 25 March 2027
- Time: 9am to 12.30pm
- Location: Horsham Library, Lower Tanbridge Way, Horsham, RH12 1PJ
Join Kate Scholefield from Blindspot for Business for a structured, three-month peer group programme for established business owners who are ready to grow, but want to do it with clarity, not chaos.
Based on the proven Blindspot Boardroom concept, each session combines focused group coaching with facilitated peer-to-peer problem-solving. Participants arrive with their real challenges. They leave with concrete actions, fresh perspective, and an accountability partner to keep them moving between sessions.
Booking link launches Friday 4 December 2026
Carbon Literacy for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
- Date: Tuesday, 2 February 2027
- Time: 8.45am to 5pm
- Location: Horsham District Council Offices, Albery House, Springfield Road, Horsham, RH12 2GB
Join Horsham District Council's Sustainability Team for a thought-provoking one-day, accredited course which will help you understand why climate change is occurring, provide you with the knowledge and skills to take action against climate change, and give you the opportunity to become certified as Carbon Literate.
Recognised by The Carbon Literacy Project and delivered and part-funded by Horsham District Council, certificates will be provided to course participants upon successful completion of the coursework.
Booking link launches Friday 4 December 2026
Instagram Reels
- Date: Wednesday, 3 February 2027
- Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm
- Location: WDR Park Lodge, 60 London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AY
Join Michelle Betts from ByJove Media for this practical half-day course. Learn how small businesses can use Reels to showcase what they do, share their expertise, build familiarity and create content that gives potential customers a reason to stop scrolling.
Understand how to come up with Reel ideas without relying on trends, what to film, how to structure a Reel, simple filming and editing techniques, and how to make your videos feel professional without needing expensive equipment or hours of editing.
Discover hooks, captions, calls to action, talking-to-camera videos, B-roll and ways to create Reels even if you really don’t fancy dancing or pointing at words on a screen.
Booking link launches Friday 4 December 2026
Power Presenter for Business
- Date: Wednesday, 10 February 2027
- Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Location: WDR Park Lodge, 60 London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AY
Poor pitching and presenting skills are costing small business owners through missed contracts and lost opportunity. Successful business pitching and presenting is about creating a human connection and building trust.
Join Andrew Dowsett from Rhabdomancy for The Power Presenter, which helps remove ambiguity, create empathy and build trust in your message. Access an insiders guide to the key aspects for successful presenting and public speaking, specifically designed to help business-people speak confidently and credibly.
A 1 hour follow up session (in office hours) can be arranged.
Booking link launches Friday 4 December 2026
The Hidden Edge
- Date: Thursday, 11 February 2027
- Time: 10am to 11.30am
- Location: WDR Park Lodge, 60 London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AY
Join Kate Hearn from Kate Hearn Coaching for this masterclass which will reveal the hidden edge that separates thriving business owners from struggling ones.
You'll discover the resilience you already have but aren't using, build practical skills to strengthen it, and walk away with three powerful tools you can apply immediately.
Booking link launches Friday 4 December 2026
The Blindspot Spotlight: Money Mindset & Pricing Power
- Date: Thursday, 11 February 2027
- Time: 10am to 11.30am
- Location: WDR Park Lodge, 60 London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AY
Most business owners undercharge. Not because their work isn't worth more, but because of the beliefs they carry about money, worth, and what the market will bear.
Join Kate Scholefield from Blindspot for Business for this session which tackles those beliefs head-on, giving participants the tools to price with confidence, communicate their value clearly, and stop leaving money on the table.
Booking link launches Friday 4 December 2026
Introduction to Video Editing for Business
- Date: Monday, 22 February 2027
- Time: 10am to 1.30pm
- Location: Freedom Works, The Courtyard, 30 Worthing Road, Horsham, RH12 1SL
Join Geoff from Silvertip Films to look at the basics of editing, whether you’re using a desktop programme like Davinci Resolve (which will be the focus here) or Adobe Premiere, or a mobile editing app like iMovie or Instagram’s Edits.
Booking link launches Friday 4 December 2026
First Aid for Mental Health
- Date: Tuesday, 2 March 2027
- Time: 9am to 5pm
- Location: WDR Park Lodge, 60 London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AY
Join Jenny Legg from Training Legs First Aid for this course 1-day course which teaches you how to recognize and support mental health issues, manage stress, and handle situations like substance abuse and self-harm.
It covers communication, when to seek professional help, and creating a supportive workplace culture. The course doesn’t teach diagnosis or treatment but gives you the tools to help and signpost others effectively.
Booking link launches Friday 4 December 2026
Leveraging LinkedIn For Business
- Date: Thursday, 4 March 2027
- Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm
- Location: WDR Park Lodge, 60 London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AY
Join Michelle Betts from ByJove Media for this practical half-day course and learn how to make LinkedIn work harder for you. Discover how to optimise your personal profile, the role of company pages, what to post and why, how to turn your knowledge into useful content, how to encourage conversation and build genuine business relationships.
You'll also explore keywords, search visibility and the growing importance of LinkedIn content in AI-powered discovery, helping you understand how what you say about yourself and your business online can influence whether you are found in the first place.
Leave with a clear idea of how LinkedIn fits into your business marketing and what you can realistically do with it.
Booking link launches Friday 4 December 2026
Build Your First AI Agent
- Date: Tuesday, 9 March 2027
- Time: 9am to 12pm
- Location: WDR Park Lodge, 60 London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AY
Agents are the next wave, and most small businesses feel behind before they've started. They're not.
Join Mary Kemp from AI Potential where she'll demystify agents and everyone will build their own in the room, so they leave with something that works.
Booking link launches Friday 4 December 2026
Master Your Mobile: Selfies & BTS for Business
- Date: Wednesday, 10 March 2027
- Time: 11.30am to 1pm
- Location: Horsham Park, Horsham, RH12 2DW
Turn your smartphone into a powerful content creator! Designed specifically for sole traders and small business owners, join Sophie Ward Photography for this hands-on workshop which will share insider tips and tricks to help you capture standout behind-the-scenes moments and engaging selfies that connect with your audience.
Leave with a camera roll full of fresh content and the skills to show up online with confidence, all using just the phone in your pocket
Booking link launches Friday 4 December 2026
Introduction to Podcasting
- Date: Monday, 22 March 2027
- Time: 10am to 5pm
- Location: Freedom Works, The Courtyard, 30 Worthing Road, Horsham, RH12 1SL
Join Geoff and Chris from Silvertip Films for this 1-day workshop, showing you how to set up your podcast, distribute the episodes, build an audience, develop your content and niche and much more.
Geoff co-runs the Doctor Who podcast Who Corner to Corner and Chris runs the Secrets and Spies podcast.
Booking link launches Friday 4 December 2026
How to Create a Strategy for Business Growth 121 Support
Join Mike Clare from Intrinsia for 121 support on how to create a strategy for your business growth. You will be taken through the process of developing and refining strategies, to enable you to identify and achieve the growth you want and adapt to changes in the business environment when they arise. Mike will also take you through how to best prepare for successful implementation of your plans.
Email us with an outline of the support you need, to apply for 121 support with Mike and build your strategy.
Business and Tax Advice 121 Support
- Date and time: To be arranged upon booking
- Location: Coolham
Join Carolyn Burchell from Composure Accounting for a 121 session on business and tax advice, tailored to your needs. Complete the online enquiry form to apply for a session with Carolyn.
SALSA Go Programme: Safe and Local Supplier Approval for Food and Drink Producers
Are you a Sussex food or drink producer? Grow your business through food safety certification and access the 12-month SALSA Go! Programme, delivered by Safe and Local Supplier Approval (SALSA).
What you'll get:
- One-to-one mentoring from an IFST-registered SALSA mentor
- Practical HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) and Food Labelling training (with qualification)
- A clear, structured route to SALSA Approval
- Access to SALSA online support resources
- Stronger credibility with retail, wholesale and foodservice buyers
How to Make the Most of Your Market Stall Top Tips Video Series
- Location: Online pre-recorded video series.
Join Brendan from the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) to learn useful tips, as a market trader, on how you can make the most of your market stall. The five-part video series covers what to bring, social media for market traders, maximising your stall layout, pricing and signage and taking cashless payments.
Sales and Negotiation Skills Quiz
How good is your business at making sales?
Take a five-minute online quiz to test how effective your business is at sales and negotiation.
This aims to inform businesses and the Council alike of the need to improve skills in this area and identify future training requirements.
Past workshops
The following workshops have already taken place as part of the 2023-26 Business Training Programme. This list excludes topics that are being repeated for 2027:
Business management training
- Ready, Set, Grow! - the team from Digital Islands ran 7 expert-led workshops, helping businesses in their first two years of trading including 1-2-1 progress review sessions. They developed an action plan including tax and accounting, HR and recruitment, PR marketing and social media for businesses.
- Budget setting and cash flow forecasting for small businesses - Carolyn Burchell from Composure Accounting ran two practical and relevant sessions aimed at limited companies and sole traders to help them gain the knowledge and confidence needed to create their own budgets and forecasts.
- Debunking the complications of Apprenticeship Talent - Amy Blick from exhilHRate HR Consulting hosted a masterclass on how to successfully unlock apprenticeship talent.
- People power strategy workshop - Amy Blick from exhilHRate HR Consulting ran an interactive and focussed session on attracting, onboarding and keeping talent.
Business marketing training
- Strategic Social Media: Being Found & Return on Investment Masterclass: Michelle Betts from ByJove Media ran a masterclass on Strategic Social Media: Being Found & Return on Investment.
- Advanced social media for business masterclass - Michelle from ByJove Media ran an Advanced Social Media Masterclass, designed specifically for local businesses. The workshop dived into strategy, content planning, and insider tips to help businesses stand out and achieve real results.
- Don’t Panic! Changes to Social Media - Michelle Betts from ByJove Media hosted a free ‘Don’t panic! Changes to social media’ workshop for local businesses, exploring recent changes to social media platforms and how businesses can work with these to maximise reach and engagement.
- Recruiting via social media - Michelle Betts from ByJove Media and Amy Blick from exhilHRate HR Consulting ran a masterclass exploring the benefits of recruiting via social media and which platforms would work best for businesses' recruitment strategies.
- TikTok for business - Michelle Betts from ByJove Media ran a masterclass exploring social media platform TikTok and how businesses can use it.
- Instagram for business masterclass - Michelle Betts from ByJove Media ran a masterclass exploring social media platform Instagram and how businesses can use it.
- Making your brand picture perfect workshop - Sophie Ward Photography ran a fun and informative photography workshop, covering business branding and organizing imagery, followed by a 30-minute hands-on photography session to bring attendees' ideas to life.
- Introduction to videography for small businesses workshop - Silvertip Films ran a workshop on how to make video work for businesses with tips, tricks, practical work and more.
- WordPress training workshop - Britweb ran an online workshop on how to master WordPress.
- AI Unlocked: Authentic Content Creation for Small Businesses workshop - Michelle Betts from ByJove Media ran an interactive, beginner-friendly course demystifying AI and showing businesses how to save time, generate brilliant ideas, and create authentic content for their website, blogs, and social media.
- Content Planning for Busy Business Owners Masterclass - In this session, Michelle from ByJove Media explored how to take the stress out of content creation with simple, practical planning techniques that actually work when short on time.
- AI Tools: Saving Time Without Losing Personality Masterclass - Michelle Betts from ByJove Media ran a masterclass showing businesses how to use AI in a way that supports their business voice.
- GDPR for Small Businesses Course - Mandy Huntley - Data Protection ran an introductory course exploring the fundamental elements of GDPR.
- Your Privacy Statement Workshop - Mandy Huntley - Data Protection ran a session teaching the theory behind the various sections of a privacy notice and how to access help to compile a privacy notice.
Market trading training
- How to make the most of your market stall - Brendan and Tania from the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) ran an interactive workshop on how to make the most of your market stall.
Let us know your business training needs
If you have any business training suggestions, please email Business.Support@horsham.gov.uk with the details and we will contact you if an opportunity should arise.