How to Set Up a Village Business Group

This guide brings together the experiences of many informal groups made up of people who work from home in rural communities in Oxfordshire. 

It describes how people got started, what they did, the ups and downs and what they all got out of it. Group organisers have contributed many practical tips on how to be successful.

There are two parts:  some case studies - a description by the volunteer organiser of their group - and a collection of ideas, practical tips and examples of leaflets, emails and notices to use as templates

We hope you'll enjoy using this guide.  

Resources, Tips and Samples

Why start a local group

At a glance

Initial meeting

Tips from Rachel Viney

Letting people know

Collecting email addresses and data protection

What to do

Where to meet

When to meet

Tips from Nick Fennell

Your launch event

Keeping going

List of examples of notices, emails and leaflets

A big thank you to the contributors: Beverly Chandler, Sarah Couch, Fiona Edlington, Nick Fennell, Tim Lyons, Ken Norman,  Barbara Osborne, Paul Ryan, Miranda Salmon, David Thompson, Geoff Ward, Pete Watkins, Rachel Viney and the members of their groups for sharing their experiences.


We'd love to hear from you if you want to start a group.