Social Enterprise
There are many examples of groups and organisations trading goods, services or resources in order to meet their project's objectives. This model is commonly referred to as Social Enterprise. Charity shops are an example of this.
Social Enterprise is much more than just trading however; it involves social entrepreneurs meeting public needs and investing profits from their activity back into their project/initiative, to help the organisation continue to achieve its social aims.
Specialist advice is available to help organisations develop their ability to function as a Social Enterprise.
Social Enterprise East Midlands provides support and advice about establishing social enterprises
The Community Action Network is a national organisation supporting an bringing social entrepreneurs together. They have a regional office in Leicester. To find out more please visit the CAN website: www.can-online.org.uk/index.php.
UnLtd supports social entrepreneurs - people with vision, drive, commitment and passion who want to change the world for the better. They do this by providing a complete package of funding and support to help individuals make their ideas a real. To see what they have to offer and how you might benefit, please visit the UnLtd website
You may also find the DIY guide to Social Return on Investment useful for working out how social and environmental outcomes translate into tangible monetary value. See http://www.proveandimprove.org/new/tools/sroi.php
The following is a list of organisations/websites, which can provide advice, information and support for Social Enterprises, or for those thinking of setting one up:-
1. Social Enterprise East Midlands (SEEM)
2. CaSE-da (Co-operative and Social Enterprise development agency)
3. Social Enterprise Support Centre
4. Social Enterprise Works
http://www.socialenterpriseworks.org/
5. Social Enterprise Partnership
6. SETAS (Social Enterprise Training and Support)
http://www.setas.co.uk/index.asp
7. SFEDI
http://www.sfedi.co.uk/standards/business-support-standard
8. Coin Street Community Builders
http://www.coinstreet.org/socialenteprisesupport.aspx
9. BES (Business Enterprise Support)
http://www.enterprisesupport.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=39&Itemid=75
10. CEiS
http://www.ceis.org.uk/index.php?render&p=12
11. NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations)
http://www.strategy-impact.org.uk/page.asp?id=269
12. Social Enterprise Coalition
http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/
13. Cabinet Office (Office of the Third Sector)
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/social_enterprise.aspx
14. Business Link East Midlands
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1079870761&r.lc=en&site=140&r.s=sl
15. East Midlands Business
http://www.eastmidlandsbusiness.co.uk/index.php
16. The Social Enterprise Loan Fund
17. East Midlands School for Social Entrepreneurs
18. Department of Health Social Enterprise Investment Fund
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Managingyourorganisation/Socialenterprise/SocialEnterpriseInvestmentFund/index.htm
There is also a growing trend towards statutory organisations contracting voluntary and community organisations to deliver services on their behalf. This is often done through contractual agreements between the client and the supplier. As this tendency grows, so will the opportunities.
