A business and community group established to help small businesses, organisations and charities on the Isle of Purbeck is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year.

The Purbeck Business & Community Group (PBCG) offers support, advice and knowledge by coming together and sharing ideas, good practice, expertise and help with promoting one another.

The group is facilitated by Sharon Westman, pictured left, who organises the meetings, manages the group’s Facebook page, plans social gatherings and helps to co-ordinate charity fundraising.

Charity events have included a beard shave and a fire walk.

PBCG also supports other local groups including Wellbeing Swanage and Sustainable Swanage.

The group meets monthly in Swanage, alternating between morning and evening.

It also has monthly evening meetings in Wareham.

Sharon said: “It is a no pressure group and is free to join and attend.

“I encourage members to ask for what they need in the hope other members can provide assistance.

“Everyone has the chance to speak.

“We have also had professional speakers attend and external training opportunities over the years.

A summer event at the Grand Hotel in Swanage.

“During the pandemic we met every week on Zoom and the PBCG became a source of connection and mental health support for many of us.

“Mental health is a key aspect of the group, as running a business or community group can be challenging and often lonely if you work alone.

“This group is not just about business, but it is very community and individually focused too.”

Members include Hebe Ibbotson, of Boochacha Ltd and Swanage artist Andy Knill.

Andy, pictured right, joined two years ago.

He said: “PBCG has linked me to a range of other local businesses and we all have things we have tried and failed or succeeded at that can be useful information for others.

“Also, people have shared information about my business and even bought/commissioned pieces with me.

“Community is very important to me and PBCG has given me a network of similar minded businesses to talk with and get to know.”

Other comments from members include:

• Keleigh-Marie Snelgrove, artist member since 2020: “The PBCG has not only been very helpful with business advice and useful tips but has put me in touch with some wonderful people from many different walks of life. So glad I joined.”
• Annette Williams, Life with Annette (Nu Skin), member since 2017: “Community, support and networking.”
• Helen Overton, Forever Living, member since 2021: “Networking, friends, community, ideas, team work, socialising.”
• Karen Richards, Purbeck Holistic Therapy, member since 2017: “Especially good for sole traders as you can bounce ideas off other people. Supportive and informative. Friendly and refreshingly un-business like.”
• Rupert Meadway, Ventura Heating, member since this year: “Starting my own business has been great but challenging. The PBCG provides me with a community of like-minded people in the area. Attending meetings I benefit from the friendly support, the experience and expertise that members readily share. Sharon does a brilliant job keeping it organised, purposeful and fun.”
• Mari Montgomery, MariMoo Creations, member since this year: “A chance to share ideas and get inspiration, particularly for those of us working solo.”

PBCG’s Facebook group here currently has 206 members.