Social Enterprises
Social enterprises trade and use the wealth they create for social benefit. They can be community businesses, cooperatives, the trading arms of charities, credit unions, social firms or larger social businesses and they are often found in health, care, environmental, childcare and other employment creation sectors.
Social enterprises can be started by individuals, groups or even entire communities but the important thing is that while they trade, the wealth they create and the profits they make must be used to benefit the community in some way; they are 'not for profit' businesses.
Social enterprises are usually started by people who see that something needs doing which neither the public or private sectors are good at. Very often these are tailored goods and services designed to meet the needs of particular individuals, groups and communities. They are legitimate, incorporated businesses with a representative board of directors and enthusiastic employees and volunteers.
The main contact for general enquiries is Jerry Spencer at Liverpool Vision on 600 2949.
Advice & Guidance
If you are looking for direct support and advice and you are based in Liverpool, the Eldonian Group employs business advisors able to help you plan, establish and develop a social enterprise. All you need is the idea! Phone 207-5181 or email alanjohnson30@hotmail.com
Stepclever
If you an existing social enterprise or community group in North Liverpool (the wards of Anfield, County, Everton or Kirkdale only) or planning to set up a social enterprise in the area, you can get extra assistance from the StepClever programme. Contact the Eldonian Group on 207 5181. Assistance is available to existing social businesses, social and ethical entrepreneurs and community organisations seeking to develop a trading activity. It includes training, business planning, grants and help with other fundraising,
Funding Opportunities
Liverpool Vision operates a small one-off grant fund for developing, new or existing social enterprises. The maximum grant is £10,000 and can only be used for capital funding (e.g. equipment or premises improvements) and not revenue funding (e.g. salaries). Contact Alan Johnson via the email above for advice on how to apply. There are also dedicated loan funds for social enterprises in the region. Contact either the Merseyside Special Investment Fund or The Social Enterprise Loan Fund.
Charity Bank Investment Bond
The Liverpool Sefton Social Investment Bond offers business and private investors a way of using their funds to help regenerate North Liverpool and South Sefton. The aim is to raise £5m from the Bond, in order to fund a loan scheme to help social businesses and other community enterprises thrive and grow, creating jobs and contributing to sustainable regeneration in this deprived area.
The Bond, from Charity Bank – a registered charity that is also a regulated bank – is a 12- or 36-month fixed term deposit account, where the more money you save, and the longer you save for, the more interest you’ll receive. At the end of that time, the capital can be repaid, or you can decide to reinvest and go on helping local regeneration.
The money will be put into a fund to provide flexible, business-friendly loans of between £50,000 and £2m for social enterprises and charitable organisations mainly based in North Liverpool and South Sefton, but also elsewhere in the city, with good ideas and market prospects. Investors will be able to see what their investment has helped achieve, with regular updates and tours of funded projects and enterprises.
For further information or to request an application form, please contact Charity Bank’s deposits team on 01732 774040, email enquiries@charitybank.org or visit www.charitybank.org/liverpool
Training Opportunities
Existing and budding social entrepreneurs can join the Academy for Sustainable Enterprise, which offers a range of learning and capacity building by way of taster days and 1 and 2 day courses in planning, finance, marketing and running a social enterprise, open to community activists, managers, volunteers and committee members wanting to play a bigger role in their business/organisation. Register via www.sustainable-enterprise.org.uk.Liverpool’s School for Social Entrepreneurs runs a year long programme of training, mentoring and support for new social entrepreneurs and creative social entrepreneurs. If you are interested in this approach to social enterprise development visit the SSE website or call Sylvia Pearson at Blackburne House 709 4356 for a chat.
For more information about social enterprise, contact:
The national coalition of social enterprises - Social
Enterprise Coalition
The Merseyside Social Enterprise Network - Merseyside
Social Enterprise Network
Voice, the national conference for social enterprise, was held in Liverpool in 2008 as part of the city’s Capital of Culture year. Have a look at the highlights of what proved to be one of the most successful conferences in recent years via http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/
The Capital, 39 Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9PP Telephone: +44(0)151 600 2900
Email: info@liverpoolvision.co.uk