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Proving their social impact is increasingly important to social enterprises in an ever more competitive environment. Not only do funders and commissioners wish to see proof that their investment is having a verifiable effect upon their target groups, the whole range of stakeholders, from local residents to volunteers, potential employees and policy makers at every level, are demanding that our social enterprises properly account for the added benefits that the sector delivers.

Top investment professionals have argued that social enterprises are missing out on millions of pounds of investment because a lack of adequate structures in place to receive investment. Areas such as corporate governance and effective mechanisms to measure price/social value have been highlighted as principle areas of concern.

David Ainsworth Third Sector:

In an attempt to develop social enterprise collaboration with the public sector in areas such as health and community care, extended support is being offered as part of the Social Enterprise Investment Fund. Future Builders England, managers of the Social Enterprise Investment Fund, are to encourage more applications to the fund from social enterprises delivering health care services. Extended support will come in the form of grants, equity investment products and loans.

www.justmeans.com

Community Alliance in the Northwest is set to host a 'Securing the Future of Community Anchors: Developing Assets and Enterprise' event on Thursday 29th October 2009. 

This information and workshop event is aimed at existing or aspiring 'Community Anchor' organisations, particularly those interested in seeking to develop new enterprises or assets to help them to achieve financial stability.

With the Government seeking to reduce public debt, politicians are turning to the potential sale of public assets to secure financial stability. Steve Wyler, Director of the Development Trusts Association (DTA), believes such a move could have a damaging effect upon local authorities moves to transfer assets into the hands of the community.

Chrisanthi Giotis, SocialEnterpriseLive.com

Social Enterprise is currently being bandied about by politicians as the future of public service delivery and as a means of stimulating the economy and leading it out of the recession. But while politicians are aware of social enterprise, awareness amongst the general public remains limited. 

David Ainsworth of Third Sector magazine reports: 

Liverpool Academy for Sustainable Enterprise are offering a range of free short courses and workshops throughout the months of October and November. The courses are primarily aimed at social enterprises and cover a wealth of topics including public sector procurement, entrepreneurial development, social impact and more. Octobers and Novembers courses are listed below:

 October

The Conservatives, speaking at the final day of their conference, at a fringe event, have talked of their belief that social enterprises amongst other third sector organisations could play a prominent role in the delivery of social services. This is comes days after the Conservatives outlined plans to use social enterprises to operate a wide range of public sector services, with payment being results based.

Gemma Hampson of SocialEnterpriseLive.com writes:

Friday 30th October sees the launch of a new Tendering and Procurement Support Service (TaPS) aimed at third sector organisations. The event is to be held at Aintree Racecourse Conference Centre, with a number of speakers confirmed.

From 9:30am to 4:00pm you will have the opportunity to learn about all aspects of Tendering and Procurement for the third sector, with speakers covering asset transfer, understanding public sector commissioning, building tender skills, demonstrating Social Return on Investment (SROI) and much more...

The Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre is running an October half-term play scheme. The Millennium Centre has its own Children's Zone providing OFSTED regulated, fully qualified childcare and play workers in a happy, safe, warm environment for children to play and learn.

The scheme is running from 26th October 2009 until 30th October 2009. For further information or to book a place for your child please call 0151 709 8162. See the attached flyer for more information on times and costs.