New Event! Your invite awaits... from Defence and Security Accelerator

 

Hi Jean-Francois,  DASA is pleased to invite you to an informal ‘meet the customer’ event at DSEI on the afternoon of Tuesday 9 September.  While we are focusing on the current challenges listed here, we are open to engaging with those who have ideas that can help in other areas.  Individual meetings will consist of 5 minutes to pitch the idea, and up to 10 minutes discussion directly with the customer representative on the relevant DASA Call.  Spaces are extremely limited. Depending on the level of demand, we may not be able to accept all applications. We will prioritise based on capacity and alignment to areas of interest.  This is your opportunity to deliver your idea directly to the customer who could utilise your concept. This is an opportunity not to miss!  Learn more and register LinkedIn Twitter YouTube

The London Business Show 2025

 

Dates: 12th and 13th November 2025 

Location: Hall N5-N8, Excel London 

If you're starting or growing your business, there are plenty of opportunities out there—but many often come with steep fees and expensive tickets. Now, picture a two-day event that's completely free to attend, filled with expert advice, hands-on support, and access to hundreds of top business services from across the UK—all in one place. 

Hear from successful entrepreneurs and business influencers, some with audiences in the millions, as they share their stories and advice in powerful keynote sessions. These are people who once started just like you. Whether you’re launching, growing, or expanding, this event is where business moves forward. 

Grab your free ticket here: https://eventdata.uk/Forms/Form.aspx?FormRef=TBSB5Visitor&TrackingCode=PARTNERgaybusinessassociation 

New DASA Themed Competition - Innovation in Support of Operations Phase 2 (Cycle 6)

 

To view this email as a web page, go here.

Hi Jean-Francois,  DASA is delighted to announce that Phase 2 (Cycle 6) of our fast paced Themed Competition 'Innovation in Support of Operations' is now open for submissions! Run on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, this competition aims to identify and accelerate innovative solutions and techniques, ensuring they can be scaled and deployed faster than our adversaries. There are five Challenge Areas:  UAS Propulsion Repair or Recondition of 155mm Artillery Barrels Maritime Autonomous Navigation Seekers UAS defeat The UK Government is continually assessing lessons from world events. From these lessons, we seek to rapidly adopt solutions that enhance our military and economic advantage. This competition is designed to identify nearly-ready solutions and techniques that can be accelerated into scalable and deliverable effect faster than our adversaries. Do you have a suitable innovation? Read the full Competition Document and submit a proposal.   In short: DASA has launched Phase 2 (Cycle 6) of Innovation in Support of Operations Funded by the MOD Closing date for Cycle 6 is 14 October 2025 at midday (BST) Learn more and submit a proposal LinkedIn Twitter YouTube

Discover how a kitchen table idea became a global success

 

Hi Jean-Francois, Have you ever dreamed of turning your passion into a thriving international business? Join me next Tuesday 26 August for Start Your Business: From the Kitchen Table to the World from 10:00 to 11:00 BST. I'll be joined by Tajinder Banwait MBE, founder of Urban Apothecary London, as she shares her inspiring journey from crafting fragrances at her kitchen table to building a luxury brand with over 500 stockists across 37 countries. What you’ll learn: How to scale a business from idea to international brand Turning challenges into opportunities The power of pitching, partnerships, and networks Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your business globally, this session will give you the insights and motivation to take the next step. 👉 Reserve your spot now – spaces are limited! See you there,  Robin Robin Hill | UK Export Academy Adviser | Department for Business and Trade P.S This event is part of the Start your Business series by the UK Export Academy. Can’t attend live? Register anyway to receive the recording to watch within 4 weeks.

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Inclusive Classroom Project - Let's Collab

 Hi,

 

I hope you’re well.

 

I’m reaching out to share an invitation to get involved in an exciting new project called Inclusive Classroom – a creative and community-led programme exploring the heritage of queer education in the UK.

 

We’re bringing together educators, learners, youth workers, organisers, and allies for a series of participatory workshops, intergenerational dialogues, and recorded interviews. The goal is to reflect on lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ inclusion (and exclusion) in education — and to create public storytelling outputs that celebrate, challenge, and document these histories.

 

Participants will be able to get involved in different ways:

• Storytelling workshops (in person): sharing and exploring lived experience
• Intergenerational dialogue events (in person): cross-generational conversations on queer education
• One-to-one recorded interviews (online): for those who’d like to share their story in more depth

Each in-person activity includes a £50 stipend for participants. Oral history recordings are remote, flexible, and supported by our team.

 

The project will result in:

• A 6-part podcast series based on the themes below
• A pop-up public exhibition
• A digital archive hosted in partnership with the Bishopsgate Institute

Podcast Themes:

1. Solidarity in the Staffroom – unions and collective resistance in education
2. Our Own Curriculum – POC-led queer organising and community learning
3. Borders and Blackboards – international and diaspora experiences of queer education
4. Learning in the Margins – zines, workshops, peer education, and creative learning spaces
5. The Language of Inclusion – evolving language, identity, and policy
6. Future Lessons – intergenerational reflections and radical imagination

If you or anyone in your network would be interested in participating in the workshops, contributing a story, or being part of the podcast, we’d love to hear from you.

We’re open to collaboration and would be happy to jump on a Zoom to discuss further.

 

Thanks so much for your time — looking forward to connecting.

 

Warm wishes,

 

Ruby

Ruby Bukhari

<ruby@ruthlessinternational.org>

 

 

Founder

Ruthless International
www.ruthlessinternational.org

Submitting evidence for the LGBT+ health evidence review

 

Submitting evidence for the LGBT+ health evidence review

Dear Consortium Members, The LGBT+ health evidence review is currently in progress. Led by Michael Brady’s office, with a deadline of August 31st, the review seeks to gather evidence of LGBT+ health experiences and data. At the national LGBT+ partnership, we are working to help support this gathering of evidence and offer an alternative to completing the form. Our ask is for members to share any LGBTQ+ health-related literature they feel is relevant to the review, that being: Less than ten years old A focus on adults (16+ with some exceptions for 13-15 y/os) Published and unpublished research welcome Not individual personal testimonies, but qualitative research is welcome We will also categorize our submissions into the different sections provided on the form (e.g., which area of focus does it align with, and does it relate to a ten-year plan theme, etc.) as well as providing a brief summary. If you can provide this information in addition to a contact for any follow-up questions, that would be helpful 🙂 If you are unsure, have questions, or want to add your work as part of the National LGBT+ partnership’s submission, please email kelly@consortium.lgbt If submitting through us, you do not have to submit an additional form.

Click here to submit your evidence to the review

Invitation: Public Meeting on Inclusive Education – 25th August

 Hi 

 

You are warmly invited to our Public Meeting on Inclusive Education on Thursday 25th August at 6:00pm.

 

This meeting is part of the early stages of an 8-month project exploring inclusion — and exclusion — in schools, colleges, and community learning spaces. The aim of this session is to share details about the project, gather interest, and connect with individuals and organisations who may wish to be partners in the work ahead.

 

Public Meeting: 25th August

Ways to be involved in the project include:

• Storytelling Workshops – share and explore lived experiences of education
• Intergenerational Dialogues – connect voices across generations
• Oral History Recordings – contribute to a 6-part podcast, a pop-up exhibition, and a digital archive hosted by the Bishopsgate Institute (@bishopsgateinstitute)

Practical Details

• Stipends available for in-person participation
• Travel and food costs covered
• Remote participation options available

👉 Register here: Inclusiveclassroompm.eventbrite.com

 

We would be grateful if you could share this opportunity with your networks so we can bring in as many voices and perspectives as possible.

 

Thank you — I look forward to meeting you (and members of your organisation) on the 25th.

 

Warm regards,
Ruby

 

 

 

Executive Director I Ruthless International CIC
www.ruthlessinternational.org
Company Number: 15885218