Registration for the (free) parent-friendly networking event, 25th April

[LocalEditorOxford]

On April 25th from 10.30am-12pm Mumsnet Oxford, parenting site for Oxford parents, will be hosting a parent-friendly networking event for freelance, work-at-home and self-employed workers at Iffley Blue restaurant. The event is sponsored by Journl and will be free to attend, including refreshments.

There are ten places for pre-school aged children to be supervised by twoContented Childcare nannies. These will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

To register for the event please add a post to this thread with the following information:

• Will you have a pre-school aged child with you?
• What is your business/skill?
• Are you willing to skill-swap and what skill are you hoping to find?
• Would you be interested in taking part in a focus group for Journl?
• (Optional) What are you hoping to get from the event?

Also happy to answer any questions here or by email to [email protected]

For more information please see our blog post:
Click Here

Or ask any questions below!

Hello Mumsnet - Oxford - Team!
I love your idea of a parent-friendly networking event - THANK YOU SO MUCH for that. This is my registration.

-Will you have a pre-school aged child with you? NO

• What is your business/skill? I'M A FREELANCE JOURNALIST
• Are you willing to skill-swap and what skill are you hoping to find? WHY NOT, THAT'S A GREAT IDEA. I'M FRANCO-GERMAN AND CAN OFFER HELP WITH THESE TWO LANGUAGES (TALKS TO IMPROVE THE LANGUAGE, FOR EXAMPLE), I'M LOOKING FOR HELP WITH MY ENGLISH WRITING
• Would you be interested in taking part in a focus group for Journl? IT SOUNDS INTRESTING, I WOULD LIKE MORE INFOS; BUT I'M KEEN ON DISCOVERING IT.
• (Optional) What are you hoping to get from the event? GET IN TOUCH WITH OTHER SELF-EMPLOYED PEOPLE, TRY TO GET MORE CONNECTED, HAVE SOME FEEDBACK ON MY WORK

Please let me know if my registration is accepted.
Hope to see you all the 25th March.
Florentine

All you have to do is let me know your intention to attend here and that's sufficient. It's just so we know who's coming and how many!

As a Mum of young children and someone endeavouring to establish a viable business to support their family, this event promises to provide an invaluable opportunity to meet other people in a similar situation. Thank you for organising it.

My skill set is in the field of bookkeeping and accountancy.

On this occasion I won't need to use the nannying service.

Skill swap is an interesting idea.

Yes, keen to learn more about Journl and possibly be part of a focus group.

I certainly intend to come along and very much looking forward to meeting the other networkers whatever stage they are at in their self-employment journey. When it comes to self employment, I don't think the importance of moral support can be over-estimated and, you never know, my services may be just what one of the other networkers is looking for!

This is a great idea, thank you!

I will have a 17 month old with me and I'd love to use the childcare service if he is happy to be left on the day.

I'm a psychologist working in birth preparation and new parent support. I'm not sure how I could contribute to the skill swap but I like the idea.
Yes I could be part of the focus group.
I'm still adjusting to being self-employed so the opportunity to meet other local people doing the same is really appreciated.

The plan is he'll stay in the same room, Guin04, but being supervised and entertained by our nannies, so he'll be able to see you and will hopefully be happy. We can but hope!

Great idea!
I will have a 4 year old with me, who will need childcare.
I'm a web designer and IT specialist.
Although in principle open to discussing skill swaps, I am not really looking for any services in particular right now.
Yes I'm happy to be part of a focus group for Journl.
Hoping to meet and network with other self employed parents. The experience of juggling children and working for yourself needs as much support as possible! :-)

I've been notified we have a two year old needing childcare - places starting to go now, so let others know!

Hi guys

would like to go to this, dont have a young child at allreckon my 16 year old can look after himself! (just) Def ok with Focus Group, I am director of a niche record label we are part of a much bigger London label. Skills wise--hmm, probably not relevant to many others although I do work from home and am well versed in Music industry PR, mailing lists, social networking and am told I am very good at doing non pushy but aimed at sales marketing newsletters, particularly to men! Really would be nice just to meet people as I have the double whammy of hubby working from home too and occasionally a bit of space is nice

Hello, I'm Rose and I'm one of the people who run the Oxford Sling Library. I'm also a babywearing/baby carrying consultant....and in my previous life I had nearly finished my psychotherapy training.
I've got 8 month twins who I'd like to bring but I don't need childcare as I will be carrying them with any luck.
Yes I'm up for skill swapping in theory....in all my free time haha ;-) I think best to count me out of focus groups as the twins and the library keep me pretty busy.

Oh just realised this clashes with the Sling Library sadly which is from 9.30-12.30 just down the road on the same day. Apologies, you will have to count me out. Have a great time everyone.

Just wanted to let you all know the new format/agenda. Times are a rough guide only.

"Spring Clean Your Business"

10.30am
Teas and coffees, getting any children settled with the nannies.

10.45am

• Brief introduction from Mumsnet Oxford Editor

A series of short talks from local businesses on: - Top tips on modern PR - Five ways to refresh your website - Stay on top of your accounting - How to keep organised

• More about the Journl focus group: who's eligible, what's involved etc

11.15am
Breaking into small discussion groups whilst individuals sign up for the focus group. At this point businesses can indicate their interest in a skill swap and make arrangements with other businesses, or sign up to a sheet indicating willingness to take part in future skill swaps.

11.55am
A brief closing speech from Mumsnet Oxford Editor with the opportunity to sign up for future, specialised talks and workshops.

Exciting news. We'll have the Oxfordshire Client Manager for the Fredericks Foundation attending to help people who want to apply for the government’s Start Up Loan Scheme. Please let anybody who might be interested in this service know about our event so they can come along, free of charge, to benefit from the advice and discussions available.

Hi, just wondered if all the spaces were taken up for this at all? Would love to attend!

Nope. Would love to have you along.

Update: We're happy to announce that we're also going to have a representative from Oxfordshire Business Enterprises there to offer tips and advice:
www.oxonbe.co.uk/wps/wcm/connect/micro/OBE/Home/

Do spread the word to anyone you know who might find this useful

I'm a pleasure and embodiment coach and a yOnilates trainer.
Happy to skill swap although I am only in Oxford for a few weeks at the moment which probably means the focus group is not going to work. No child are required thanks.

Looking forward to seeing you Lauradoe

Hi, I can make it this morning, which is very exciting. Am hoping a friend will come too.

To register for the event please add a post to this thread with the following information:

• Will you have a pre-school aged child with you? no neither of us will
• What is your business/skill? me social media & all things marketing - friend is a project manager & loads of experience in consultancy for large organisations Prince 2 project management etc.
• Are you willing to skill-swap and what skill are you hoping to find? yes very happy to swap, not sure what skills am looking for
• Would you be interested in taking part in a focus group for Journl? yes looks fab and would like to know more
• (Optional) What are you hoping to get from the event? meet other working mums and finding a way of working that works for me and family life! I've found that bit way harder to figure out than dealing with a new born!