FREE workshop for creative and cultural sectors in East Suffolk

Building Strong Foundations for Growth

Funded by East Suffolk Council | Delivered by Ducks In A Row

📅 Wednesday 22 January 2026
🕤 9.30am – 3.00pm
📍 Wooden Roots, Bentwaters Park, Suffolk
🎟 Free to attend – registration essential
☕️ Refreshments provided - bring your lunch with you

About the Workshop

Running a small creative business or organisation can feel like there’s never enough time to step back and focus on the bigger picture.

Building Strong Foundations for Growth is a practical, hands-on workshop designed to help you do just that.

Funded by East Suffolk District Council and delivered by Clare Lucas, Ducks In A Row, this full-day session will help you revisit the essentials, fill in any gaps, and carve out time to plan for real, sustainable growth – whatever the size or structure of your organisation.

This workshop is for those working within the creative and cultural sectors in East Suffolk – including freelancers, CICs, social enterprises, not-for-profit directors, small business owners, and sole traders.

What You’ll Learn

Together, we’ll explore practical ways to strengthen your foundations and plan confidently for the year ahead:

✅ Business Planning & Priorities
✅ Data, Systems & Productivity Tools
✅ Website, SEO & Customer Journeys
✅ Financial Aspects & Compliance
✅ Marketing Strategy & Digital Outreach
✅ Growth Through Tenders, Grants & Funding
✅ Collaboration, Competitors & Outreach
✅ Planning for the Unexpected
✅ Wrap-Up & Next Steps

You’ll leave with checklists, and a clear action plan to help you move forward with confidence.

Workshop Aims

• Encourage participants to review the core aspects of their business.
• Provide practical tools for compliance and growth.
• Inspire action planning, accountability and peer learning.

Who Can Attend

This workshop is free of charge and open exclusively to those working within the creative and cultural sectors in East Suffolk - including:
🎨 Creative freelancers
🎭 Cultural and heritage organisations
💡 CICs and social enterprises
📚 Not-for-profit directors
🛠 Small business owners and sole traders

Before the Event

An online pre-workshop call will be carried out by East Suffolk Council to help tailor the session to attendees.

By registering, you acknowledge that your name, email address and contact details will be shared with East Suffolk Council for this purpose.

If you have any questions about eligibility or the workshop content, please contact:
📧 hello@ducks-in-a-row.uk