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Your Social Enterprise start-up experience…

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On August 2, 2017

In community economics, enterprise, News, Social enterprise

Social Enterprise UK, with the support of generous sponsorship by NatWest Bank, have just published their ‘Start Your Social Enterprise’ booklet.

A featured article from our archive: still pertinent and encouraging!

This is a great primer on social enterprise, clearly laid out and packed with information for those of you about to start your SocEnt journey.

Start your Social Enterprise image and web link

See more here – pdf

You can view, print or download a copy of this publication here (pdf).

The chapters include sections on Mission, Market and Money, as well as Marketing and Branding and the all important Business Plan.

There is also a very clear grid format page which illustrates the choices of good governance you can pursue, in order to control and support your Social Enterprise ambitions as a community.

We particularly liked the SEUK section on Looking After Yourself.

It is easy, in the whirl of excitement and drive to make things happen to forget about individual well-being in pursuit of the goal. We have repeated the sensible advice below…

”Pay yourself properly – as soon as is practically possible, pay
yourself properly; some social entrepreneurs pay other people
first in the organisation, but everyone needs to live…

Find a mentor – a mentor is someone independent outside your organisation to talk to who can provide advice and support to you; organisations like UnLtd and the School for Social Entrepreneurs will often link you to mentors as part of their support, but you may be able to identify your own…

Be part of networks – there are lots of local, regional and national groups and networks for social enterprises, from national bodies like Social Enterprise UK to the Social Enterprise Places across the country to local and regional networks like SELNET in Lancashire or SEEE in the East of England; they will often run events, send newsletters with information, and provide connections to others. (…and SocEntEastMids too…Ed).

Don’t neglect family and friends – take time out, spend time with
the people you like and love, and you will be better refreshed, more
focused and more productive when you return to the enterprise…

Keep learning – this is a fast-moving world, and there are new developments, opportunities and information to find out about; events and newsletters can help with this, as can podcasts or books on business and social enterprise…”

Source: Social Enterprise UK, Start your social enterprise, p.13   Accessed 02.08.2017

A useful addition to your basket of information when building your community business to effect change.

We recommend it as a great starting point for changing the world, or even a bit of it that starts right at your front door!

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Small charities and cyber crime – what to do?

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On March 2, 2018

In Charities, governance, News, social business, Social enterprise

The Government Communication Headquarters, GCHQ, in the guise of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), has just published a useful and thorough guide for small charities.

Download your copy here…pdf

‘…charities are increasingly reliant on IT and technology and are falling victim to a range of malicious cyber activity. Losing access to this technology, having funds stolen or suffering a data breach through a cyber attack can be devastating, both financially and reputationally’.

Source: Ciaran Martin, CEO of NCSC.

 

The booklet contains detailed reflection and advice on five key areas of data, ICT and operational practice – all of which can leave you exposed to hackers or the malevolent site visitor.

Calm and clear in its concise advice, the detail of the publication covers…

  • Backing up your data
  • Protecting your charity from malware
  • Keeping smartphones and tablets safe
  • Using passwords wisely
  • Avoiding ‘phishing’ attacks

‘…good practice will only be effective if everyone plays their part, seeking out and applying relevant advice to help improve their charity’s resilience to the growing threat of cyber crime. Taking even a few of the simple steps recommended in this guide will be a good start to better protecting your charity from harm.’

Source: Helen Stephenson, Chief Executive, The Charity Commission.

We think all charities and social businesses will find this a useful publication, regardless of size.

Calm advice in a frenzied technological landscape is always welcome.

Discover more here…

 

 

Seasonal greetings – the very best for your enterprising community in 2020 and beyond

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On December 20, 2018

In Charities, community, enterprise, News, social business, Social enterprise

Supporting communities wherever we can, developing ethical and sustainable settings, projects and programmes. See  more…

In 2020 why not look at our literacy and author visits – see more…

In 2020, if you’re in the East Midlands, ask about our support at SocEntEastMids.

In 2020, if you are looking for a new community web presence, ask for our technical assistance at Thirdsectorweb.co.uk.

If you’re busy in 2020, let us provide a solution – taking the strain to promote community gain, on any day in the calendar.

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The Community Business Trade Up Programme

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On January 16, 2019

In community economics, enterprise, funding, News, social business, Social enterprise

The School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) have, this 2019 New Year, published details of new, free learning and development courses for the leaders of the community business sector in the UK.

Free learning at SSE...image and web link
Free learning at SSE…see more

“Applications are open for the Community Business Trade Up Programme, run by the School for Social Entrepreneurs, in partnership with Power to Change.

This programme helps the leaders of community businesses in England. It focuses on growing income from trading, to improve impact and sustainability. It offers:

  • A learning programme: 12 days spread over nine months
  • A Match Trading grant of up to £10,000
  • A community of people running organisations like yours

There is no cost to you at any point”.

If this learning and funding opportunity is of interest to you and your community business, you can see the guidance and application notes here.

SSE are offering taster sessions across the regions, so that you can explore the opportunity, and you can find a taster session booking form here.

This learning programme runs from June 2019 to March 2020. 

The deadline to apply is 1pm on 14th February 2019. Explore all the details at SSE here.

Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme - image and web link
Read more here…

Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme

This SSE Programme may also be of interest to our readers. You can discover the details of the learning and support on offer from the programme partners here.

  • A learning programme (14 days spread over a year)
  • A grant
  • Mentoring
  • A supportive community

You can register your interest, and be notified when this year’s applications (2019/2020) are open on this web page at SSE…

https://www.the-sse.org/lbsep/

This post first appeared on the pages of www.miningtheseem.org.uk – our SocEntEastMids, our ‘supporting community’ business in the East Midlands.

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Social Enterprise Awards 2018

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On June 5, 2018

In Awards, community economics, enterprise, News, Social enterprise

See more here…

  • Deadline now extended to Sunday, 15th July, 2018…

Applications are now open for the 2018 UK Social Enterprise Awards. 

”The Awards recognise organisations for their business excellence and contribution to society, as well as the achievements of people working at the heart of the sector.

All social enterprises can apply, and there are specific categories that investors, corporates, public sector bodies and charities may also apply for”.

Source: https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/uk-social-enterprise-awards-2018

There will be an Awards ceremony to celebrate the winners on Wednesday 28th of November, 2018.  This year there are fourteen categories available for organisations to apply for.

Nominations close on Friday 6th July, 2018. (Now extended…)

  You can apply here.

 

The categories are…

Category 1 – UK Social Enterprise

Category 2 – One to Watch

Category 3 – Prove It: Social Impact

Category 4 – ‘Buy Social’ – Market Builder

Category 5 – Social Investment Deal of the Year

Category 6 – Health & Social Care Enterprise

Category 7 – Consumer Facing Enterprise

Category 8 – Education, Training & Jobs Social Enterprise

Category 9 – Environmental Social Enterprise

Category 10 – Tech for Good: Technology Social Enterprise

Category 11 – Women in Social Enterprise

Category 12 – International Impact

Category 13 – Transformative Community Business

Category 14 – Employee Engagement

You can see the full application process and qualifications needed to apply on the pages of Social Enterprise UK here.

If you do apply, good luck!

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for 2018

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On December 19, 2017

In community economics, enterprise, News, Social enterprise

Taking flight in 2018 image and web link

Our Partnership web pages can be discovered here…

This is some of our planned project delivery workflow…in 2018

Developing Social Enterprise East Midlands, SocEntEastMids, as a six county-wide community of interest | Expand and consolidate our Partnership consultancy services into enterprise governance and charity support | Parent Champion project development and training with Family & Childcare Trust | Develop and expand our web brands across the regions of the UK, particularly in web services for charities and social enterprise | Progressively develop our international author and illustrator representation and booking services…

Discover more of our work in enterprising communities here.

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Social Investment Tax Relief Fund?

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On September 20, 2016

In Charities, community economics, enterprise, funding, Social enterprise

Investment in Britain’s children, youth and vulnerable communities…

supportingfamiliesimage‘The Bright Futures Fund represents a real opportunity for ambitious charities and social enterprises to access the capital they need to expand and scale their work, with a particular focus on those that are working to improve the lives of children, young people and other vulnerable groups throughout the UK.

The Fund has a specific focus on organisations which are delivering effective interventions to improve the lives of children, young people and vulnerable groups. Some of the issues that investees will tackle include helping children to avoid entering foster care; ensuring access to education; and improving the most important early years of a child’s life’.

Source: Bright Futures SITR Fund  http://www.brightfuturesfund.co.uk/    Accessed: 20.09.2016

You can explore SITR, and view some interesting case studies, on the web pages of Big Society Capital here.

pdfIcon4Whether as an investee, or an investor, there is a wealth of information available from Big Society Capital, including an SITR Property Guidance Paper which some charity Boards may find useful.

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Power to Change – fund now open

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On July 28, 2016

In community economics, enterprise, funding, Social enterprise

Power to Change – business in community hands has re-opened their £10m fund to help community businesses of all types to apply for money to develop their work.

”Power to Change awards grants to grow and develop community businesses.

The second window for applications to our £10 million Community Business Fund is now open until 31 August. We will also have an application window open in October.

Through the fund, we will award grants between £50,000 – £300,000 to community businesses in England.”

Source: Power to Change web pages  Accessed: 28.07.2016

Your community enterprise must meet the following criteria…

  • Locally rooted
  • Accountable to the local community
  • Trading for the benefit of the local community
  • Have broad community impact

Community Leadership:

There is also a community leader development scheme embedded within the work of Power to Change. The Leadership Academy, in partnership with the RSA, the Real Ideas Organisation and Sheffield University Management School, provides individuals with opportunities to develop their skills.

See more here.

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Social Enterprise Awards 2016

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On June 10, 2016

In community economics, enterprise, Social enterprise, Uncategorized

socialenterpriseawardsLogoApplications are now open for the range of awards and celebrations that make up the Socila Enterprise Awards 2016.

You can view the criteria and award categories on the pages of socialenterprise.org.uk here.

You can see the application process in detail on this page.

The closing date for the application process is Friday the 8th July, 2016. To qualify your organisation has to have or have been…

”A social enterprise that has been operating for more than 2 years and can evidence the criteria below but that has also demonstrated and promoted social enterprise beyond the sector.

Criteria:

  • Excellent vision and strategic direction
  • Clear leadership and management of the organisation
  • A high degree of customer satisfaction
  • A clearly evidenced social, environmental and community impact
  • Show sustainability in terms of profit and growth
  • Good brand awareness and communication outputs
  • Evidence of creativity and innovation”
Source: socialenterprise.org.uk  (Accessed 17.06.2016)

If you do enter, the very best of luck.

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Being a Charity Trustee

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On March 30, 2014

In Charities, governance, Volunteering

The internet is full of information, so much, that sometimes it is difficult to sort out all the news, data and advice available.

Here at enterprisingcommunities.today we do write our own content for you, and provide formal sessions and training to pass it along. However, occasionally we come across a simple, clear and professional piece of advice that is useful, but provided by other organisations.

101 Simple Steps to Better Governance by interneticon Pitman Trustees Limited is one of them. A document containing 101 things that charity trustees need to know, both to be effective and to be efficient.

pdfIcon4 Download a copy of this document in pdf format here.

As ever, here at SmithMartin LLP, we’ll happy help you get ready for good governance or to work in partnership with you to deliver better charity operations in all their forms.

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