Social Enterprise -
Support

Aims and Objectives

• Increase the number of Social Enterprise start ups in the West Midlands Region
• Aid the creation of high quality Social Enterprises, providing continuous improvement in accessibility and further development of products and services available to new and micro social Enterprises
• Allow equality of access through the proactive promotion of services to all potential client groups
• Provide, promote and develop high quality support services for all would be managers and social enterprises
• Support and encourage the survivability and growth of start up Social Enterprises
• Raise awareness of Social Enterprise start up services
• Work within the local communities to provide accessible delivery

How we can help you

Are you thinking about starting up a new social enterprise, or perhaps you’re considering changing your existing business to a social enterprise model? Either way, Business Link in the West Midlands will give you all the advice, support, information and tools you need to get off to the best possible start.
Because every enterprise is different, our support services are tailored to the individual needs of each business. Our goal, quite simply, is to give you the best chance of success.

How we can help…

Starting or changing to social enterprise workshops – short taster events that look at the reality of starting and running a social enterprise, introducing the support and tools that are available to help you. Events are run regularly across the region so there is bound to be one near to you.
Foundation for business training courses – information-packed courses on a range of subjects including business planning, financial management, legal requirements and personal development.

Specialist Social Enterprise training – a range of valuable sessions covering key issues including:

• Market reality and motivation
• Developing a social enterprise team
• Creating competitive advantage
• Structure and governance
• Financial sustainability of social goals
• Procurement
• Social franchising
• Changing to a social enterprise

One-to-one guidance - delivered by specialist advisers experienced in social enterprises. Your adviser will be on hand to help you establish your business, create an Enterprise Action Plan and provide ongoing support.

Ongoing support - as your enterprise develops, you can access further tailored help and advice through your social enterprise adviser and volunteer mentor. This includes support to the whole organisation as well as the management team to help you drive the success of your social enterprise.

Information and Guidance – no matter what sector you chose to operate in, we can provide you with up-to-date, relevant information and factsheets. We also provide a monthly electronic newsletter ‘Starting Point’ which is packed full of articles, hints and tips to help anyone looking to start-up or grow their new business.

This service is delivered free of charge by a team of experienced specialists who are committed to helping you launch and develop your social enterprise.