Social Enterprise East Midlands Newsletter – July 2010

Welcome to this ‘bumper packed’ edition of SEEM’s monthly newsletter.

The spotlight is now well and truly on the ‘Big Society’ agenda with the Prime Minister describing it as “the biggest, most dramatic redistribution of power” from the state to individuals. How this really affects social enterprise is yet to be seen but we can be assured that more awareness of social enterprise amongst consumers, entrepreneurs, the public and private sector is guaranteed. Now, more than ever, we need to work together to communicate achievements and positive messages to our wider audiences ensuring the effective growth and evolvement of the social enterprise movement. If you have a story you want promoting through our newsletter or website place contact Aimi Townsend.

Inside this issue

SEEM Activity

East Midlands businesses awarded the Social Enterprise Mark Business Advisers Network (BAN) launched Identifying partnership opportunities for East Midland’s social enterprises Tell us what you think - SEEM surveys SEEM AGM Keep in touch through social media

Latest News

Think3e crowned most enterprising place in the East Midlands Cameron kick starts the Big Society Cuts Watch Government announce radical reform of health service RDA abolition and creation of Local Enterprise Partnerships Public Services (Social Enterprise and Social Value) Bill

Funding and Investment News

Spark 2010 Shell LiveWIRE young entrepreneur of the year 2010 launched

Research and Intelligence News

Measuring Social Value: The Gap between Policy and Practice Filling the Jobs Gap report Civic Streets: the Big Society in Action Policy Insight newsletter

Business Support

Coutts & Co. launches Social Enterprise Advisory Service Get better connected………through 02

Social Enterprise Training and Events

Social Investment Pitching Right Funds For You Communities Assets Enterprise 2010 First Steps in Social Enterprise workshops Well for Living courses The ClearlySo Fifth Annual Social Business Conference

SEEM Activity

East Midlands businesses awarded the Social Enterprise Mark

BrightKidz based in Kettering, The Cooke e-Learning Foundation from Leicester, The TREES group and Highpoint Conference Centre, were formally presented with the Social Enterprise Mark at SEEM’s networking event on 6th July.

The Chief Executive of The TREES Group John Montague said, “Our right to display this mark on all our stationery, as well as our website, demonstrates to the world that we have the highest possible standards in working with the community, and the relevant authorities, to improve the lives of those whose best interests we have at heart.”

Since the presentation two more East Midlands social enterprises have been awarded the Mark:The Healthy Hub in Lincoln and Leicester based STRIDE.

Who will be next?

Visit the Social Enterprise Mark Company for further information

Business Advisers Network (BAN)

BAN brings together advisors with a broad range of professional skills from law to health and social

care to keep up-to-date with the latest policy and marketing information, share best practice and develop their skills to better serve social enterprises in the region.

Jules Sebelin, Business Support Coordinator of SEEM said, “As social enterprises in the region grow in number and in size they require more sophisticated and complex business support interventions. The development of this network will enable us to make sure those advisers and supporters have access to the most up-to-date and cutting edge information that is available so that the sector can continue to grow and thrive”.

Read more…

Tell us what you think - SEEM surveys

As part of our work to measure the impact of SEEM and to help us gather market intelligence on particular sectors, SEEM will soon be distributing two short surveys to social enterprises across the region. It’s important for us to understand the opinions and experiences of social enterprise, so we would encourage you to keep an eye on your in-box and respond to the surveys if you receive them. Thank you.

SEEM AGM

Can another year have passed since our last AGM at the Nottingham Playhouse?

We are taking bookings for our 2010 AGM which this year we are taking to Leicester. It will take place at Phoenix Square Film and Digital Media Wednesday 4 August 2010. If you want to attend contact info@seem.uk.net to book your place.

The meeting will be held between 1.00pm and 2.00pm and lunch will be available from 12.00pm to provide an opportunity to network with other members, meet the SEEM staff and SEEM Board of Management.

We are also holding elections to the Board of SEEM in the lead in to the AGM. SEEM’s Board has developed and grown in focus over the last year and we are keen to maintain and build on its strengths to lead our growth over the next twelve months. If you are interested in standing for the Board and would like to find out more about the role, the commitment required and the work of the Board then contact the SEEM office and we can put you in touch with one of our current Board members for an informal chat.

Find out more about standing for the Board and download a nomination form here

Keep in touch through social media

Did you know that you can keep up to date with the latest news from SEEM without having to keep referring to our website or waiting each month for your newsletter.

Through social media we can keep you connected to what is happening in the social enterprise world.

You can follow us on Twitter and receive regular tweets about SEEM activities and information from the wider social enterprise movement

You can subscribe to RSS feeds from our website

You can view videos form our events on our YouTube channel

We will soon be launching our facebook page to enable you to share information and connect with other social enterprises in the east midlands. We’ll let you know through the website when it goes live. Or better still, follow us on Twitter and we’ll tweet you about it.

Latest News

Think3e crowned most enterprising place in the East Midlands

Think3e, based in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, has won the East Midlands Enterprising Britain final, after going head to head with five other finalists from across the region in the 2010 Enterprising Britain Competition. A SEEM member, Think3e is a social enterprise providing innovative recycling solutions for organisations such as The Sun newspaper, B&Q, Superdrug, Sony, Nissan and the John Lewis Partnership. They will now enter the national round and compete with winners from 11 other regions.

Read more…

Cameron kick starts the Big Society

David Cameron has launched his Big Society drive to empower communities, describing it as his "great passion". Speaking in Liverpool to an audience of local community groups, charities and community leaders, the PM set out how the Big Society will be “the biggest, most dramatic redistribution of power” from the state to individuals.

Read more…

Cuts Watch

Third sector Chief Executives body ACEVO has launched a website designed to monitor public sector cuts to third sector organisations.

Cutswatch.org.uk has been set up to provide guidance and support to third sector organisations through public spending cuts. The site aims to provide up-to-date news, case studies, guides and information on how to positively deal with spending cuts, along with links to useful events and services.

The website also has information on how organisations can negotiate with funders, challenge poor funding decisions and demonstrate their impact.

Read more on the Cuts Watch website

Government announce radical reform of health service

The Government have set out their ambitious plans to reform the NHS during this Parliament and for the long-term.

The White Paper ‘Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS’ details how power will be devolved from Whitehall to patients and professionals.

Professionals will be free to focus on improving health outcomes so that these are amongst the best in the world.

The Department of Health have said that they want to create the ‘largest social enterprise sector in the world’ by liberating Foundation Trusts and handing over services to NHS staff.

Read more…

RDA abolition and creation of Local Enterprise Partnerships

The Government has set out plans for Local Enterprise Partnerships that will bring together councils and business on an equal footing with one voice, replacing the current Regional Development Agencies (RDAs).

In a joint letter sent to councils and business leaders, Business Secretary Vince Cable and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles have asked them to consider forming new local enterprise partnerships that can provide strategic leadership in their local areas and create the right environment for business success and economic growth.

Read more…

Public Services (Social Enterprise and Social Value) Bill

A private member's bill introduced in the House of Commons would require all public sector contacts to carry a 'social clause', asking bidders what positive social outcomes their tender would create. Chris White, newly elected Conservative MP for Warwick and Leamington, presented The Public Services (Social Enterprise And Social Value) Bill which will require the Secretary of State and local authorities to publish strategies in connection with promoting social enterprise; to enable communities to participate in the formulation and implementation of those strategies; to require that public sector contracts include provisions relating to social outcomes and social value; and for connected purposes.

Read more…

Get better connected………through 02

As we mentioned in the last newsletter, telecoms company O2 are developing packages of support for social enterprises. One of their offers is to be showcased to their customers. O2 want to promote social enterprises in their e-newsletter to 3.3 million pay monthly customers each month.

If you run a remarkable business they want to hear your story and tell O2 customers about the great things you do. If this sounds like you, please send a few sentences or bullet points about your business and the benefit it brings to society/the environment to hello@o2socialenterprise.co.uk with your name, company name and contact details.

Funding and Investment News

Spark 2010

The 2010 Spark Challenge was launched by John Montague; CEO of Leicester based social enterprise The TREES Group and Nigel Kershaw, Chair of Big Issue Invest.

Spark is a pioneering development and investment programme that aims to inspire organisations to build social enterprises that will prevent and tackle homelessness using sustainable business models.

Read more…

Shell LiveWIRE young entrepreneur of the year 2010 launched

The prestigious Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2010 competition is now open for entries to find the UK's brightest new talent.

Who is it for?

The most outstanding entrepreneurial young business person in the UK UK-residents aged 16-30 (on the 6th September 2010) Anyone who has been trading for between 3 and 18 months (on the 6th September 2010)

Read more…

Research and Intelligence News

Measuring Social Value: The Gap between Policy and Practice

Ensuring value for money in public service delivery is now a more pressing policy concern than ever before. Measures of social value, which take into account wider ‘value added’ impacts and softer outcomes, are increasingly replacing narrow financial returns as funders and commissioners seek ever more ‘bang for their buck’.

This is particularly the case for the third sector, where often unquantified social returns can be far greater than in the commercial world, and whose role in delivering public services has grown apace in the last few years, and sets to continue.

Third sector organisations must be able to demonstrate their social value in the face of pending cuts, argues a report released by the think-tank Demos.

Read more…

Filling the Jobs Gap report

As the public sector is cut back and jobs are lost where will the newly unemployed go? The Coalition Government hopes that the private sector will emerge to absorb both these newly unemployed as well as the existing 5 million claiming benefits. But how likely is this, especially in the most deprived areas? This report produced by the new economic s foundation explores if new enterprise really can fill the employment void.

Read more…

Civic Streets: the Big Society in Action

A week prior to the 2010 election, all three party leaders appeared at the Citizens UK convention to espouse their support for citizen action. The parties all endorsed the need for greater voluntarism and collective endeavour. The Coalition Government have gone further by making their conception of the ‘Big Society’ central to policy. But what does the ‘Big Society’ mean for struggling communities in need of regeneration? Can we learn lessons from places and communities that

have come together and have trail blazed this approach?

This report produced by DEMOS attempts to answer those questions by looking at two Birmingham estates, Balsall Heath and Castle Vale, which have engaged in an extraordinary renewal that has involved residents, the third sector and business.

Read more…

Policy Insight newsletter

Working with partners, including SEEM, The Social Enterprise Coalition's policy and research team is actively involved in influencing public opinion and decision makers at all levels in order to ensure that social enterprise remains high on the UK's policy and political agendas.

The Coalition produces a specialised policy newsletter, Policy Insight, which includes:

coverage and analysis of the main issues of the day our pick of the latest publications and research relevant to the movement details of upcoming events as well as what we've been up to information on Government consultations topical profiles of key people and organisations

You can access copies of the newsletter from our website

Read more…

Business Support

Coutts & Co. launches Social Enterprise Advisory Service

Coutts & Co has launched a new Social Enterprise Advisory Service - the first ever to be provided in the UK - which is aimed at encouraging and assisting many of its 20,000 successful entrepreneurial clients to develop enterprises that give something back to the community. The advisory service brings together a panel of leading independent experts from within the sector, including the School for Social Entrepreneurs, ClearlySo and UnLtd, who together, will focus on advising clients on the best way to navigate the diverse social enterprise sector to find opportunities to suit them. This includes facilitating mentoring opportunities and advisory roles, providing access to business angel investment opportunities and making grants and donations.

Read more…

The Social Enterprise Business Support Programme

The Social Enterprise Business Support Programme is composed of the work managed by the Social Enterprise Coalition in two existing business support projects: the Capacitybuilders funded National Knowledge Management Programme and the Big Lottery (BASIS) funded Investing in Social Enterprise Expansion (I-SEE) Programme.

The overarching aim of the Social Enterprise Business Support Programme is to work in partnership for the creation of effective sector products, services and knowledge-sharing networks, which stimulate and encourage the growth, development and sustainability of social enterprises in England. This will involve the Social Enterprise Coalition and social enterprise support bodies including SEEM working closely to improve the level of, and access to, business support services in the sector.

Find out more about the programme by visiting the SEC website

Social Enterprise Training and Events

Social Investment Pitching

7 September, London

ClearlySo have launched a brand new social investment event, taking place in conjunction with leading private bank, Coutts.

Their social investment speed dating events have already proved extremely popular. However, this time they’ve spiced up the formula a little.

Read more…

Right Funds For You

12 August, Derby

The seminar is fully subsidised for companies in the East Midlands and will be presented by four industry experts who will cover grant, debt, venture capital and business angel finance options. There will also be an opportunity to network over light refreshments following the presentations.

Read more…

Communities Assets Enterprise 2010

12 – 14 September, Derby

The DTA conference is the largest community enterprise event in the calendar. More than 500 community enterprise practitioners and supporters will attend to explore exciting new developments in the field of community-led regeneration, learning from inspiring examples of best practice and debating the issues currently affecting the community enterprise movement.

Visit the DTA’s website for further details

First Steps in Social Enterprise workshops

8 September, Market Harborough21 September, Wellingborough

If you are considering starting up a social enterprise and are looking for a clear understanding of why it is the business model of choice for socially and environmentally minded people, then the ‘First Steps in Social Enterprise’ workshop is for you. It will help you explore the practicalities of starting a social enterprise, providing you with an awareness of the different legal structures available and the management, governance and funding aspects of setting up your business.

The workshop will help you to understand what social enterprise is, the business model, its social aims and objectives, the various governance and legal structures that a social enterprise can adopt, the process of setting up a social enterprise, how you write a business plan that incorporates financial, social, environmental and ethical aims, finance and sources of income generation, and finally what support can be accessed through Business Link and local support networks

All workshops will feature a guest speaker from an established social enterprise who will share their experience with you. All workshops run from 10am to 4pm and are free-to-attend.

To book your place please call 0115 871 4760 or email events@seem.uk.net

Well for Living courses

Leicester's new social enterprise company Well for Living has launched its summer programme of short courses. Ten one or half day training events are on the programme covering a range of topics that will be of interest to Social Enterprises in the East Midlands.

For full details of the courses that are available visit the Well for Living web site

The ClearlySo Fifth Annual Social Business Conference

13 October, London

A conference aimed at social business and enterprise CEOs and managers, and interested social investors.

The objective of the conference is to share relevant, useful advice and know-how with social businesses, in an environment that is honest and friendly.

Read more

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Social Enterprise East Midlands is supported by East Midlands Development Agency and the European Social Fund