March, 2010 News

Ageing- It's Your Future is a major conference brought to you by 5050 Vision, the North West Forum on Ageing. This will be held on Friday 16th April 2010 at the Lion of Vienna Suite, Reebok Stadium, De Havilland Way, Bolton, BL6 6SF.

This conference will give you the opportunity to contribute to the emerging policy on Ageing in the North West. This is an agenda that is of relevance to all of us, as the implications of the increasing ageing population in the region will have a widespread effect on a number of areaa, e.g. employment, health, leisure etc.

Despite the Social Enterprise Mark being released to much fanfare and support, it has not been received as favourably in Scotland, were the Scottish social enterprise network, SENSCOT, has objected to the criteria required to gain the mark, and decided to launch its own version.

David Ainsworth thirdsector.co.uk

Scottish social entrepreneurs are developing an independent social enterprise scheme for organisations north of the border.

The popularity of community shares has more than doubled since 2009, with an increasing number of people buying shares in community businesses such as pubs, small shops and even football clubs.

David Ainsworth thirdsector.co.uk

Community shares more than doubled in popularity in 2009, according to a report to be published this week.

High-streets across the country are awash with derelict shops and buildings following the 'credit crunch' and subsequent economic downturn. The Development Trusts Association, in a move to combat the growing number of empty commercial spaces, have launched the Meanwhile Project, aiming to reclaim these spaces for social and community enterprises.

Henry Palmer socialenterpriselive.com

A fresh wave of derelict shops and buildings will be reclaimed by community enterprises to house local services and projects, it was announced today.

SEN member and Wirral based recycling social enterprise, ABC Supabed, is currently seeking your used cardboard. ABC Supabed use corrugated cardboard to produce eco-friendly horse bedding at its Moreton factory, whilst providing employment for the long-term unemployed and disadvantaged.

Via Wirralglobe.co.uk

A recycling centre which provides training and support for the long-term unemployed in Wirral is running desperately short of the one product it needs to recycle- waste corrugated cardboard.

Last weeks budget has unveiled a number of exciting new developments that should allow social and community enterprises to fulfil their potential through increased investment, innovation and forward-looking new employment programmes.

Chrisanthi Giotis socialenterpriselive.com

An extension of the Future Jobs Fund until March 2012, a consultation that could force banks to invest in community lenders and more social impact bond pilots were announced in the budget.

South Sefton Development Trust (SSDT) is currently seeking two Social Enterprise Business Advisors. One permanent vacancy for an experienced business advisor and one vacancy for six-month maternity cover.

The South Sefton Development Trust delivers business start-up and expansion advice to social enterprises primarily in the Sefton area. They have secured a number of contracts to deliver this support over the coming 12 months, including Stepclever, NWDA, ESF and their own resources. Further bids are in submission.

Cheshire and Warrington Social Enterprise Partnership are hosting a 'Making Renewables Work for You' information and networking event on Wednesday 31st March 2010. This is a free event which aims to inform social enterprises about the benefits of using renewable energy sources.

Emmaus Communities offer homeless people a home, work and the chance to rebuild their lives in a supportive environment. There are currently 19 Communities around the UK including one in Liverpool. The Liverpool Emmaus Community is currently in development and looking for help, advice or financial support from the Merseyside social enterprise community.

According to Liverpool City Council's Homelessness Strategy for 2008-2011 there are 3,000 people in acute housing need in Liverpool, of which 647 (22%) are in greatest need.

The second Dot Art @ Orchard show will take place on Thursday 25th March 2010 from 6-8pm at the Orchard Restaurant, 57 Blundell Street, L1 0AJ. The show will feature the work of two painters with very different approaches to the portrayal of the human figure. 

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has committed itself to helping find new ways for social enterprises to gain access to private sector capital. There already exists a large tranche of public sector funding, but there remains a distinct dearth of private sector capital opportunities. The new research programme from BIS should provide answers to this problem.

David Ainsworth, thirdsector.co.uk

Credit Unions are set to be freed from archaic rules and be given the chance to fulfil their full potential following an anticipated change in legislation following the laying of a Legislative Reform Order (LRO) in Parliament. Such reforms should allow Credit Unions to better serve their members with fewer obstacles standing in their way.

via socialenterpriselive.com

A historic change in legislation, which will see credit unions freed up to increase membership and fulfil their potential as providers of financial services, has come a step closer.

SHINE's annual unconference is the biggest in the UK for social entrepreneurs. It's the opposite of a traditional business event, offering a dynamic network where you can be a part of helping the whole movement grow. The Unconference will run from Thursday 13th-Saturday 15th May 2010, London.

SHINE is where social entrepreneurs develop their skills, share knowledge, ideas and advice. It's a mini-business school that convenes everyone involved in the movement- from start-ups to investors- as social enterprise moves into the mainstream.

Co-operatives North West will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 20th April 2010 from 2.40pm-3.15pm at the Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS.

Co-operatives North West continues to develop and deliver services for members, with funding from the Co-operative Enterprise Hub and North West Development Agency, as well as some trading income.

Comtechsa is a Community Technical Aid Centre that provides a wide variety of services to community groups and voluntary sector organisations in Liverpool, Merseyside and the surrounding areas. Comtechsa currently has a number of office spaces available at their central Liverpool location at 60 Duke Street.

60 Duke Street provides accessible, fully serviced, City centre office accommodation for smaller Voluntary and Community organisations as well as cost effective Conference facilities for all business users.

The Blackburne House Group are presently seeking to recruit a number of dynamic non executive directors to their board. They would like to welcome for interview individuals who have previous board level experience and with either knowledge or experience in the areas of:

The World Skills UK Big Leap Entrepreneurship Competition, managed by Striding Out, is now open for applications. World Skills UK incorporates the UK's premier set of skills competitions for students, trainees and employees.

Applying to the Big Leap

1st Stage- Striding Out would like you to submit your business ideas and aspirations to them via an application form for the 30th April.

Business Link Northwest has recently made a number of changes and improvements to the social enterprise section of their website. There have been 3 main improvements which you can read about below:

If you are currently unemployed and wish to develop a career within the arts this is a great FREE opportunity to improve your skills.

The Community Arts and Employment skills programme is a course running 2 days per week, for 10 weeks with free travel expenses and free child care available if required.

Are you a social or community enterprise operating in the North West of England? If so, we want to hear your views! 

The Institute for Public Policy Research North (ippr north) is conducting a survey for North West Together We Can (NWTWC), the Regional Empowerment Partnership, to identify the critical success factors for community and social enterprise.

The results of this survey will be used by NWTWC to support local authorities to create an enabling environment for community and social enteprise in the North West.

Nugent Care are delighted to announce Phil Thompson as Guest Speaker at their next Business Community event on Tuesday 16th March from 4.30pm at Andersons Bar, Liverpool.

Find out more about the event by viewing the flyer here.

Funding Central, a free website highlighting thousands of funding and finance opportunities for third sector organisations, has generated £1.5m in grants and contract funding in its first six months.

Jenny Legg ncvo-vol.org.uk

Knowsley Council are currently offering specialist business support for Knowsley based social enterprises. This is free fully funded support, and is available to any social enterprise that meets the qualifying criteria.

Young people across the North West of England are facing a brighter future thanks to a job creation programme aimed at preventing a 'lost-generation'.

Social Enterprise Solutions CIC has been working to deliver 150 new jobs in the social enterprise sector, through the government's Future Jobs Fund. Young people across the region are now enjoying new opportunities as a result, in a wide variety of roles.

Agapao International, a social enterprise based in Pennine Lancashire, has employed 17 young people through the programme.

The Royal Bank of Scotland are inviting social enterprises to join their new SE100 Index, a tool created in collaboration with Social Enterprise Magazine designed to track the growth and impact of social enterprises.

Chrisanthi Giotis socialenterpriselive.com

Only three weeks remain before the first ever index designed to track the growth and impact of social enterprises closes for its first year.