InTouch Issue 13

InTouch SOCIAL ENTERPRISE EAST OF ENGLAND

Winter 2005/6 • Issue 13

Special conference report:

Inside: Editorial

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Supporting, not interfering. David Lloyd discusses a key lesson that emerges from recent research in the Eastern Region

Growth of Sector will see profit for region

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Cambridge Evening News on how new funding from EEDA supports SEEE

CREATE and social franchising 5

Social Enterprise East of England Showcase and Launch of Strategy

A partnership of national business support organisations comes together to help disadvantaged groups to consider selfemployment

Community enterprise in the East

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Helen Haugh of the Judge Business School describes how its Masters dissertations are building the research base of social enterprises, voluntary and community organisations

Cambridge Online celebrates 10 years of success

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Cambridge Online is an exemplary model of helping people with disability help themselves. But it needs business sponsors

Lowestoft Community Enterprise Centre

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Denes High School gives its sixth-formers a head-start in business savvy as they rub shoulders with local businesses

Focus On ...

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This issue focuses on disability sports

Networks unlimited

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A new format to help you find the information that interests you more easily

Diary

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Events: national, regional and local. Let us know about yours!

Local social firm receives 16 National Social Enterprise Award Daily Bread of Cambridge implement the triple bottom line and scoops £5,000

Internet: SEEE’s Web partner services are at: http://www.seee.co.uk http://www.seee.co.uk/interactive http://www.nearbuyou.co.uk

Left: Andrew Brady of APU and director of SEEE; Top right: Hilary Brown makes a point; Middle right: Elaine McCorriston, project manager of SSEER; Bottom right: Belinda Bell, chief executive of SRT

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verwhelmingly positive feedback was received from 135 people attending the Social Enterprise East of England Strategy Launch in Cambridge on Monday 17th October.

Two events were held: a Social Enterprise Showcase in the afternoon and the launch of t Strategy for Social Enterprise in the East of England in the evening.

Showcase event

“ The whole event was very useful. It provided an excellent introduction to social enterprise”

The intention of the showcase event was to highlight developments that have taken place in the social enterprise sector in the East of England over the past few years, including, but not necessarily restricted to, projects supported by the SSEER project (EQUAL-funded Supporting the Social Economy in the Eastern Region). Wherever possible, developments were illustrated by speakers from social enterprises that had been a part of, or had benefited from, the development.

Elaine McCorriston, SSEER project manager, opened proceedings by explaining the background and purpose of the event.

Business Link Herts

Helen Marini, Business Link Herts, described how a social enterprise business advice service was operating in Hertfordshire. One of her clients, Sandra Ashley of Herts Practical Parenting Programme, spoke of the work of the programme in assisting parents to understand and support their children in the face of difficult circumstances and explained how the service had moved on to a sounder long-term basis through working ➜ page 2 with Helen. Although the people working in HPPP knew what they wanted

SEEE Strategy “All very thought provoking” Join SEEE! Social Enterprise East of England is a membership based organisation, open to social enterprises and support organisations in the region – If you’re interested in becoming a SEEE member, go to www.seee.co.uk/ and click on “here” near the bottom of the page.

Left to right: Jo Ransom, Michael Waring, Andrew Brady, Belinda Bell, Nicky Stevenson, Elaine McCorriston, Mary Chadwick and Ashley Cooke

to achieve in the long term, business was an unknown area to them and Helen’s support had been vital in taking a business view.

Suffolk Regeneration Trust operating in 3 counties

Suffolk Regeneration Trust, SRT, is a Community Development Finance Initiative, CDFI, which despite its title, operates in Cambridgeshire and Essex as well as Suffolk. CDFIs offer enterprise start-up and personal loans to those who cannot access loans from High Street Banks. Belinda Bell, chief executive of SRT, described how their service works with and alongside Credit Unions, offering practical alternatives to the high cost of borrowing from doorstep lenders or catalogue shopping. She

Prime Timers transfers business skills

Prime Timers is aimed at transferring skills from the business sector into the social enterprise and voluntary sector through mentoring or short and long term assignments of people with a business background in to suitable jobs in the third sector.

Ashley Cooke described his own experience of working with Chipmunka Publishing and assisting them to become established as a business, providing a newsletter to people recovering from mental health problems.

Social accounting on social enterprises

Social accounting and audit is a growing area in the social enterprise sector, providing a means to integrate evaluation of the community and social benefits of an enterprise with its financial performance. Karl Leathem of Lodestar had been commissioned to carry out an audit on a number of enterprises in the Region and presented on three of them, showing how their benefits could be described in accounting terms such as payback period and return on investment. Karl emphasises that these are economic analysis tools and not a substitute for a quality assurance system.

“Very interesting, enjoyable and valuable, Thank you!” explained that clients regarded SRT a friend, someone on their side. Yvonne Morgan of Melton Under 5s, a pre-school playgroup, described how a loan from SRT had helped them to remain in business by replacing their Portacabin, which was becoming unusable. Newer and larger premises had allowed them to expand their services and the accommodation was now made available to community groups when not in use by the pre-school.

Nearbuyou trading website

NearBuyou is a social enterprise directory and trading website.

Its manager, Michael Waring of The Guild, described how it had been developed to facilitate public sector procurement in particular to buy from social enterprises. Further developments are planned, working in conjunction with the Regional Centre of Excellence.

Learning from Working in Social Enterprise (WISE)

Learning and accredited training is an important aspect of the social enterprise sector. Andy Brady of the Working in Social Enterprise, WISE, programme at Anglia Polytechnic University ( now Anglia Ruskin University) described how learning from similar enterprises was an important and effective part of the programme. Alan Soer of the Arbury Community Centre described how they had been able to identify skills gaps in their resources and work with WISE to acquire the additional skills required.

Thanks to EEDA, Jo and Elaine

Nicky Stevenson, speaking as a partner in The Guild, closed proceedings by acknowledging the support of EEDA throughout the programme and made special mention of the hard work and support of Jo Ransom and Elaine McCorriston of Business Link Herts.

Launch event

The event was held to formally launch the Strategy for Social E in the East of England. The strategy had been developed through wide ranging consultation with the social enterprise sector itself – from one-to-one interviews with regional policy bodies, through small workshop to open conferences.

The Strategy will form the basis of the work of Social Enterprise East of England Ltd – a co-operative established to continue the work begun under SSEER. ➜ page 4

“The case studies showed how things work in the real world – easy to relate to”

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Editorial From the Editor

InTouch

Supporting, not interfering

Social Enterprise East of England

David Lloyd is managing director of Business for People in Huntingdon. He is editor and contributor to various publications

Winter 2005/6 Issue 13 The SEEE network is co-ordinated by Business Link Hertfordshire InTouch is financed by SEEE (funded by the European Social Fund ) and published in its support by Business for People in partnership with Creative Touch, both of which are social enterprises

Tel.

Unit 9, Cooper's Business Centre Ferrars Rd, Huntingdon PE29 3HH 01480 861607

SEEE Team: Development Manager: Peter See SSEER Project Manager: Elaine McCorriston SSEER Project Executive: Donna Pollard Diversity & Social Sector Manager: Jo Ransom (Exemplas Ltd) Web Manager: Lin Evens (EPAS Ltd) Nearbuyou Manager: Michael Waring (The Guild) Editorial Staff: Editor: David Lloyd intouch@seee.co.uk Content Editor: Peter Durrant Contributing Editors: Andrew Saul Advertising Sales: Joseph Law 01480 433302 Layout: Lorraine Peacock Creative/production Editor: Austin Bambrook Please send PR and other information items to: Peter Durrant, e-mail: humberstone@pop3.poptel.org.uk Tel. 01223 262759

The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers or of Business Link Hertfordshire, SEEE Ltd, Business for People Ltd or Creative Touch Social Enterprises Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in an information retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the publishers. This publication has been prepared using information provided by contributors and, while we make every effort, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. SEEE Ltd is unable to accept any liability for the consequences of any inaccuracies, errors or omissions in this publication. No representations, warranties or endorsements of any kind are intended.

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’ve been reading quite a few books and articles around “making poverty history” for something I’m writing. One point has been reinforced again and again: e.g. Jeffrey Sachs, eminent economist and author of The End of Poverty, Bob Geldof in the foreword of The Rough Guide to a Better World, Geraldine Bedell in Make Poverty History.

The point is that if “we” (the so-called “First World”) are to really help the world’s poor communities, we have to assist them to implement their solutions, not ours. Part of their negative legacy – and ours – is that wealthy nations have interfered too much – and continue to do so.

Coincidentally, as I was pondering this, someone phoned me to discuss the launch of the Social Enterprise East of England (SEEE) strategy, that had occurred in Cambridge on 17th October (see lead article). As a friendly conversation unfolded, it became apparent that this person was questioning why SEEE wasn’t providing something it has not put itself in the frame to provide – direct support. To be fair, the individual was coming into t process quite late in the game. In fact the strategy that was launched that day was the result of a great deal of previous consultation, including finding out what concerns and needs exist at the grass roots of social enterprises in this region.

Solutions from the grass roots up

I am not equating social enterprises with the world’s poor by the way. Yet, a parallel issue came to the forefront as I reflected on the conversation. The caller, who was experienced in assisting social enterprises, was justifiably concerned that they do not always get appropriate help tailored to their needs. We have to be very careful to respect where social enterprises are at, with such questions as: “what support do you want?” and “what are the challenges you face?”

The consultation and research that SEEE undertook, which led up to the strategy document, did this in spades. The SSEER project, that led into SEEE, was very successful in beginning to map exactly what social enterprise activity is going on in the East of England. With the finding and recommendations of the strategy, we now work from a better-informed perspective – one that take accounts of the views of all the varied stakeholders in social enterprise in this region.

Making use of information, support and networks

But social enterprises must carve out their own destinies. One of the best ways they can do this is to talk to one another, find out what works and what does not, share experiences and insights. Sub-regional networks, that are there to help in this process, are beginning to come together. You can find out about these on the website: www.seee. co.uk A further factor identified by another excellent piece of new research, “Social Enterprise in Cambridgeshire: Needs and Priorities” is that some social entrepreneurs get so caught up in their businesses that they do not address their skills deficits – even in a county where the local Business Link has engaged with social enterprises by five times the national Business Link average.

Further, effective support for social enterprises is coming together in the Eastern Region as a result of some good research and hard questions. Both of the aforementioned publications should be essential reading for anyone who is serious about social enterprise in the region.

I you would like a free copy of the SEEE strategy, see the box on page 4. Social Enterprise in Cambridgeshire: Needs and Priorities can be obtained from The Social Enterprise People (CCDA), E: info@thesocialenterprisepeople.co.uk T: 01223 360977.

© SEEE 2006

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SEEE Strategy page 2 ➜

East of England commended by Director of Social Enterprise Unit The event was chaired by Hilary Brown, Director of the Social Enterprise Unit at the DTI. In her opening remarks, Hilary said that the East of England has demonstrated that RDAs (regional development agencies) are taking notice of social enterprise. She commended the approach of mainstream and specialist agencies working together. Hilary sees the Social Enterprise Coalition, of which SEEE is a regional member, and its membership as a really beneficial structure to support social enterprises.

Mahua Nandi, Networks manager at the Social Enterprise Coalition, spoke of the similarities between SEC’s manifesto and the findings of the strategy consultation. She stressed the need for all parties to work towards social enterprises being perceived as genuine businesses.

Gwyneth Jones, Executive Director of Inspire East, spoke of Inspire East’s regional programme of community renewal and how social enterprises were perceived as an integral part of regeneration, leading towards economic sustainability.

Implementation depends on all parts of the social enterprise sector

Concluding, Andy Brady, speaking as a director of SEEE, underlined the fact that the strategy had been developed in close contact with the social enterprise sector and that its implementation depended on all parts of the sector contributing.

S will not be a delivery organisation doing things for the sector, but a means to help the sector develop itself.

Responding to the positive feedback and requests for more information on social accounting, SEEE is now looking at running a series of short workshops on the topic in 2006.

Handmade Ceramic Tiles at Affordable Prices Enhancing All Areas of Your Home Colours,

Designs,

Sandy Lane Ceramics is the support business to the Dawe Charitable Trust Jubilee Project, Cambridge Supporting People Back into the Community

Commissions Always Welcome For a brochure or further information, contact us at Sandy Lane Ceramics, 116 Sandy Lane, Dereham, Norfolk NR19 2EF Tel: 01362 853940

E-mail: sales@sandylaneceramics.co.uk Website: www.sandylaneceramics.co.uk

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Your free copy of the Strategy If you didn’t make the Showcase and Strategy events on 17th October, make sure you get your copy of the Social Enterprise East of England Strategy, produced in consultation with social enterprises and the organisations that support them across the region.

To obtain your copy, email admin@seee.co.uk and type “strategy” in the subject field – and remember to enter your name, address etc in the main text box!

Growth of sector will see profit for region SOCIAL enterprises are set to benefit after the Government announced a major new fund to support growth.

The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) said it recognised the growing importance of the sector by pledging cash for Social Enterprise East of England (SEEE).

With an estimated turnover of £3 billion, social enterprise is an important part of the regional economy accounting for 40,000 jobs and 1,500 businesses in the East of England.

The social enterprise agency has a two year contract and will promote nine objectives aimed to support the sector.

Richard Ellis, chairman of EEDA, said: “The impact of social enterprises has grown significantly over recent years and is a sector we fully support.

“The contract with SEEE has been agreed following recommendations in the Social Enterprise Strategy for the East of England and it became obvious that social enterprise needed a leader, an organisation to coordinate, lobby and help develop policy. The opportunity to grow this sector of the economy is a challenge that if we get right will have huge benefits for us all.”

Social enterprises are equally committed to generating economic, social and environmental profit in order to create meaningful and lasting change in the community.

Social enterprises are businesses with a social purpose.

Examples include Cafedirect, The Big Issue, Co-op Group, the Eden Project and Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen.

SEEE will help access finance, improve learning opportunities, make better businesses, enable growth, assist companies in becoming a social enterprise and influence policy.

Peter See, SEEE development manager, said: “Social enterprise is already achieving significant benefits for the community and economy of the East of England.

“Our role is to promote social enterprise. Working together, we look forward to the sector becoming a major contributor to the prosperity and quality of life in the region.”

Reprinted from Cambridge Evening News 17th October 2005 with permission. Full story also at: www.cambridge-news.co.uk/ (search on “SEEE”).

Support

CREATE and Social Franchising C

REATE is a partnership of national business support organisations whose aim is to encourage people from disadvantaged groups – ethnic minorities, women, young people, over 50s and people with disabilities, to consider self-employment, using a structured business format such as franchising, licensing or agency distribution agreements as a business model. CREATE is supported and partly funded by the European Union through its EQUAL programme.

‘Social franchising’ is currently the big idea for growth in the non-profit world – quick and easy, low cost and minimum risk, social enterprises can grow and become profitable by buying into proven success stories. CREATE is supporting Community Action Network (CAN), one of the UK’s leading organisations for the support and promotion of social entrepreneurship, to explore the application of franchising for the social economy through its pioneering Beanstalk programme.

CREATE’s role has been to support CAN in sharing insights into how franchising can be applied successfully to the social economy.

This has led to the development of a “learning community” of practitioners, academics, support agencies, who share and exchange thoughts and debates generated through events such as the Beanstalk Roadshow to promote franchising during July 2004, CAN’s conference on growth in March 2005, and the Beanstalk Growth Seminars in September 2005 alongside regular updates via newsletters and websites.

Working with commercial franchisors

One emerging insight is that social enterprises, whilst able to achieve profits individually, struggle to generate sufficient margins to share with a franchisee. The experience of the Beanstalk Programme shows that few social enterprises have the ability to manage a network of franchisees or the resources to invest in a support structure to make it a success.

Managing both social and business drivers is a challenge – franchising in the commercial sense makes it more so. Whilst a few are choosing to go down the franchising route, many opt out of the risk associated with a franchising business formula.

O possibility is to introduce successful commercial sector franchises, which have the support networks and infrastructure, to the social economy. CAN is currently working with Recognition Express, a successful commercial franchise business s p e c i a l i s i n g i n c o r p o ra t e recognition and promotional

products, to find a talented individual from a disadvantaged background to run a franchise in the east end of London. If this works, it could set a precedent for further opportunities for the social economy elsewhere.

For social enterprises or non-profits, however, it means l for alternative or more appropriate business models with “lighter” contractual arrangements associated with licensing, or best practice “institutes” aimed at influencing social business performance without the burden of a franchise network.

An example of progression in this area is Hidden Art, a membership organisation that supports and promotes designermakers, while offer ing companies and members of the public access to original design. Hidden Art is the t name of the not-forprofit support organisation Mazorca Projects and has just set up its first franchise in Cor nwall launching on 11th November 2005.

CREATE was involved in the d of this venture – one of the UK’s first social franchises.

CREATE tools

CREATE has developed t that enable businesses, individuals and social enterprises or firms to assess the pros and cons of using franchising, licensing or other similar growth strategies. Using these tools enables you to identify and establish whether or not these are business growth routes you could follow.

You are then sign-posted to the appropriate specialist advice to help you take this forward Try the Social Franchising Suitability Matrix on the CREATE site to help you assess whether franchising could be a suitable growth model for your business by visiting www.createproject.org.uk . It won’t give you all the answers but it will give you a strong indication of whether or not you meet the key criteria. You can also discuss the results with a CREATE advisor through our online franchising forum.

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create@exemplas.com T: 01727 813747

CAN Beanstalk programme www.beanstalk-biz.org.uk

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Education

Community Enterprise in the East

strategic tensions faced by development trusts between community engagement and financial sustainability. The research examined the barriers to achieving both social and financial goals, in particular achieving sustainability through trade, when a Trust is located in a deprived area.

F development trusts were studied and data was gathered from many sources, including documents, and interviews with senior managers, Board members and other associates of the trusts. The study found that the attempts to generate income from trading led to a number of s tensions within each trust, which arose as they strived to balance or blend voluntary/public styles of governance and m with the business imperative to be financially sustainable. The findings suggest that trusts that operate in an area of deprivation were unlikely to achieve sustainability without either the support of public funds, or significant trading outside the area of benefit – even with an asset base. The research concluded that instead of aiming for self-sufficiency through trading, trusts should capitalise on their core competencies and local support and build mixed income streams to achieve competitive advantage.

Diversification into new trading activity should be underpinned by rigorous matching of the proposed new business with the core strengths of the trust.

Lynette Warren's research on information technology Left to right: Neil Stott, Lynette Warren and Helen Haugh

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ollowing the success of Owen Jarvis in 2004, a further two graduates from the Eastern Region were awarded a Masters Degree in Community Enterprise from the University of Cambridge in 2005. Although the course recruits from around the world, its delivery from this region gives local students an added advantage from the support of the East of England Development Agency via its commitment to building social enterprise capacity in the region.

Master of Studies: background

T Master of Studies in Community Enterprise was developed in association with the Development Trusts Association and the Monument Trust and was launched at the Judge Business School in 2002. The degree is aimed at chief executives and senior personnel from the social, community and voluntary sector. The course is delivered part–time, via a series of 12 fiveday study blocks spread over two years, thereby enabling leaders to combine study with running their organisation. Successful students have the option of being awarded a Diploma in Community Enterprise after one year, or continuing to complete the Masters after a further year of study. In the second year of the course, students are required to carry out original research into an issue of importance to community enterprise.

Neil Stott's research on development trusts

Neil Stott (Keystone Development Trust) and Lynette Warren (Luton and Dunstable Innovation Centre) both graduated this summer. The research conducted by Neil investigated the

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Lynette’s research examined the potential of advances in information technology to reduce social exclusion.

In her study, Lynette evaluated the use of a range of free or cost-effective communication technologies, such as instant messaging and voice and video streaming, to provide support and social/networking opportunities to people who wanted to start a business from home. The focus of her research was on disadvantaged groups, such as people with disabilities, carers and those living in isolated or rural areas, for whom traditional work patterns are not appropriate.

The research identified that, when combined with human support and appropriate infrastructure, information technology could increase employment rates and thereby contribute to reducing social exclusion. The study demonstrated that the potential to create a social network, or virtual community, reduced the isolation that people who worked from home experienced. In this way, demonstrable outcomes contributed to achieving the accessibility and employment targets in the East of England.

The dissertations completed by Neil, Lynette and other graduates from the course make a valuable contribution to building the research base for the sector – this is essential for ensuring that social, community and voluntary organisations make a real and lasting contribution to urban and rural regeneration and renewal. The course has recently recruited more students, including two from the eastern region, and we look forward to working with them over the next two years.

Dr Helen Haugh, Course Director

Initiatives

Cambridge OnLine celebrates 10 years success

C

ambridge OnLine is a successful and established charity run by and for people in Cambridgeshire. Volunteers are involved in every aspect of its work, and it relies heavily on their day to day support. 70% of the volunteers have a disability.

Cambridge OnLine was one of the first organisations to provide free public internet access, to address the issue of accessibility for all, and to assist voluntary and public sector bodies in taking their work online. A number of organisations, including publicly funded bodies, have now taken on some of the work that Cambridge Online pioneered, starting in 1995.

However the need to ensure e of access for all has not gone away. In fact it has become more urgent as online access becomes an integral part of everyday life.

As the internet becomes essential rather than just beneficial for Photo courtesy of Cambridge Newspapers many activities, including access Cambridge OnLine Learner Wayne Fever with Helen Cox (Carer) and Sandra Luisi (Volunteer Tutor). Wayne is learning to control the computer using a head switch to government and other services, some disadvantaged groups risk being left behind.

Cambridgeshire County Council. Cambridge Online provides A growing number of services will only be accessible online, specialist expertise and assistance, backed by years of while others will only be available at additional cost. If specific experience. steps are not taken to prevent it, this problem will most The Trustees of Cambridge Online include representatives of strongly affect precisely those who are most vulnerable and the public and private sector, voluntary organisations such as disadvantaged. Meanwhile, as the online world becomes more CAB, learning providers, and users. sophisticated, there are an increasing number of risks for the A mix of funding unwary.

Cambridge Online has been supported from the start by both As more and more of the world moves online, Cambridge public and private sector. Like many small local charities, the Online is concentrating its work on ensuring that key sections of organisation finds it very hard to raise money for running costs. society are not left behind.

People are keen to fund new ideas and new projects – but how A new focus does an established and successful charity keep its main work I its early days, the charity set out to help the general funded? public to access computers and the internet, and this Cambridge OnLine thinks it has the was successfully achieved through its network of 20 answer: Running costs amount to £60,000, community access points in Cambridge. Five years so they are aiming to split that three ways ago, Cambridge OnLine started Pathways – a project b local authority funding, charitable designed to help people with disabilities to access trust funding, and business sponsorship computers and the internet. Things have moved on – a new area of income for the charity. The – Pathways has been overwhelmed with demand, and c has recently launched an appeal for now delivers 1000 one-to-one tutorials a year. Helping local businesses to consider sponsorship, disabled and disadvantaged people has now become with all the benefits that brings to both the main focus of the charity. parties. The charity is also looking at the Partnership social enterprise model – a theme for a Cambridge Online works in partnership with follow up article, perhaps. organisations such as Cambridge Citizens Advice Andrew Entecott, Bureaux, Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service, Chief Executive, Cambridge OnLine Hester Adrian Centre, Hawthorn Way, Papworth Trust, and many local community groups.

Cambridge, CB4 1AX They work with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough T: 0845 458 0192 Mental Health Trust, Cambridge City Council and Andrew Entecott W: www.cambridgeonline.org.uk

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Membership Services

Lowestoft Community Enterprise Centre: Denes High School

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he motto of the Denes High School in North Lowestoft is “Pride in Achievement”. It can certainly be proud of its business-like management – it achieved the Investors in People standard in November 2004. Setting the seal on this approach was the award of Business and Enterprise College status. With this award came a capital investment fund to support the construction of a community enterprise centre in the grounds of the High School.

T school makes the most of its buildings and sports facilities, hiring them out for community use in the evenings, weekends and school holidays. Justin Smith has recently been appointed Operations Manager, responsible for the school’s lettings and will manage the new enterprise centre.

A new enterprise centre

The traditional red-brick façade of the High School will soon look down on a modern, energy efficient building, sporting a sedum roof. Every effort will be made to recycle and re-use materials wherever possible. Justin showed us around the building, which is nearing completion and due to welcome its first tenants in January 2006.

When complete, the building will offer 2100 sq.m. divided between two wings and a central atrium. The reception area and central atrium will be available on an occasional basis to community services such as CAB and a Credit Union.

Social Care Services will take one wing, the other will comprise the enterprise centre. This will provide flexible office space, conference, IT, reception and secretarial services at sympathetic rates for 4/5 start-up enterprises, which it is hoped will be a mix of commercial and social enterprises. Further office space is available for three established local firms, who will pay a market rate for the premises, but will receive an allowance for offering mentoring support to the start-up enterprises.

Further business advice and support, and referrals for use of the centre, will come from the participation of Suffolk ACRE, Norfolk & Waveney Enterprise Services, Business Link Suffolk and Job Centre Plus.

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by Peter See

Justin explained that the centre has been financed by a consortium of Social Care Services, the School itself; the Department for Education and Skills, through the Specialist College award and the European Regional Development Fund.

Benefits for the pupils

A Steering Group has been established comprising representatives of the school’s management and Governors; Suffolk ACRE, The Shaw Trust and Waveney District Council.

W does the school gain from this? The school’s sixth formers will have the opportunity for work experience placements with firms based in the centre and it will provide examples for project work in subjects such as economics and business studies.

Lowestoft Community Enterprise Centre? Not the snappiest of names, so if you have a better idea, contact Justin – there is a competition for a better name!

The construction of Lowestoft Community Enterprise Centre in the grounds of Denes High School

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Justin Smith, Operations Manager, Denes High School, Yarmouth Road, Lowestoft. NR32 4AH T: 01502 509928 E: jsmith@denes.suffolk.sch.uk

Focus on: Disability Sports

by Andrew Saul

Horse Sense P

eople in wheelchairs are used to looking up at the world; however, when they are on horseback, they can look down instead! This is just one of the benefits offered by riding for the disabled. The Elizabeth Curtis Centre for Riding for the Disabled, located in the Bedfordshire town of Bromham, started in 1975 with a group of volunteers and two elderly ponies giving riding lessons to patients in the grounds of the local hospital.

By the autumn of the same year, they were able to transfer activities to a local riding school. In 1978 they decided to try to build their own indoor riding school, and they were granted the lease of a piece of land at the hospital in Bromham. The indoor school came into official use in 1982, and the official opening of the Elizabeth Curtis Centre for Riding for the Disabled was performed by HRH the Princess Royal, president of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) in 1983.

Further expansion of facilities

The name comes from the late Mrs Elisabeth Curtis, Chairman of the Eastern Region of the RDA. Further expansion of the site took place in November of the same year with the building of an extension housing the toilets and office/ tack room. In 1988, a stable block housing nine ponies with a feed store attached was built. The hospital in whose grounds they were situated closed in 1997, and the ground was designated new building land. Fortunately, Bryants, the developers, granted the grazing fields to the centre for as long as they remain a charity for the disabled, and the deeds were received in July 2002. An outdoor stable has been built, in the centre of a “sensory ride”, which is to give riders with visual impairments extra sight and sound experiences.

The centre’s riders range in age from four to 55 plus. The physically disabled experience the benefits of exercising in a

Tri-A-Sport A

primary purpose of social enterprise is to enable people to improve their lives, so it should come as no surprise that triathlon, a sport which focuses on self-improvement, is the focus of a new social enterprise aiming to promote the benefits of the sport throughout Norfolk and Suffolk.

The enterprise, named Tri-A-Sport, was started

by Simon Edwards, with the support of the Guild in Norfolk. Having worked in private sector enterprises all his life, Simon found the Guild encouraging, as an organisation that understands the voluntary and social enterprise sectors, while taking a professional business approach. The Guild guided Simon through t process of finding a suitable legal structure, setting u a constitution and the complexities of employment law.

A new service for juniors in Norfolk

Simon’s interest in triathlon began in 2002, when his employer entered him into an event as part of the Corporate Games. Simon’s enthusiasm rubbed off on his children, but there was no triathlon club for juniors in Norfolk, so Simon decided to take action.

He qualified as a British Triathlon coach and set up a s of junior coaching sessions so that his and other children could try it out. Broadland District Council granted Simon funding for a 13-week pilot scheme,

very relaxed way, with the horse doing the work, which improves their co-ordination, balance and muscle tone, whereas those with learning difficulties build a good relationship with the horse, and benefit from interaction with others. The 100 riders at the centre are just a small part of the 25,000 who take part through the v RDA groups nationwide, for whom the greatest benefit of all is probably having fun.

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Elisabeth Curtis Centre Riding for the Disabled Chestnut Avenue, Bromham, Bedford. MK43 8HP T: 01234 824469 or 0845 2414380 W: www.elisabethcurtiscentre.co.uk E: elisabethcurtiscentre@supanet.com

which proved that the interest Triathlon facts was there. A new stream of funding became available • A triathlon is a combination of through the Community Sports swimming, cycling and running Coach Scheme, managed by • The transitions from the water to the the Norfolk Sports Alliance, bike and then to running are part of but in order to qualify under the race this scheme, a coach has to be • It is a new sport – the term “triathlon” employed by a registered body was first used in 1974 that can provide 50% matched • Triathlon first featured in the Olympics funding. Simon concluded that in 2000 the only way to do this was to • The Olympic race consists of a 1500m establish his own organisation, swim, 40 km bike ride and 10km run. so with the support of British • The “Ironman” is the longest race, Triathlon, he set up Tri-A Sport. involving a 3.8km swim, 112 mile The children taking part bike ride and full 26.4 mile marathon. vary from those who have The oldest woman to ever finish never taken part in sport an Ironman was 76 year old Sister before, to those who are keen Madonna Buder in 2005! swimmers or runners. Entrants in Triathlon start in waves so they do not know what position they occupy in a race, which allows them to focus on their own goals without comparison to others. As well as inviting children to participate in triathlon, TriTri-A Sport A Sport also provides work experience 95 St. Williams Way placements for 14-16 year olds in which Norwich. NR7 0AL T: 01603 461841 they work alongside qualified coaches to E: info@tri-a-sport.co.uk help deliver coaching sessions for children W: www.tri-a-sport.co.uk in their local communities.

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InTouch

No 13 Winter 2005/6

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Focus on: Disability Sports

by Andrew Saul

Turning up the Heat W heelchair Basketball started in the USA when a group of players injured in World War 2 adapted basketball in order to continue their enjoyment of the running game, albeit from a sitting position. The sport can have tremendous benefits for people who use wheelchairs, allowing the exercise of muscles of the body which otherwise would be underutilised. The players also benefit from experiencing all the emotions playing a team sport brings; excitement, exhilaration and sometimes disappointment. The sport also encourages social interaction, as well as aiding physical improvement to the p l a ye r’s c i rc u l a t i o n , renal function and skin tone. One club that plays the sport in our region is Hereward Heat WBC. The club was formed in October 1995, though most of the members have been involved a l o t l o n g e r, h a v i n g previously been part of the Cambridge Vikings WBC, which, due to internal problems, had disbanded a short time earlier. Unfortunately the club has only been able to enter one team in the national league in the current season. In previous seasons, they have entered two teams, but various members lived outside the region, and have now joined clubs closer to their homes.

Building Sustainable communities BigBarn specialises in building websites to engage communities in local issues see more at: Local food

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No 13 Winter 2005/6

Classifying and developing the players

Wheelchair basketball differs to other disabled sports in that players are assessed and classified whilst playing in a game, as opposed to being medically assessed by a doctor or physiotherapist.

Players are placed into classifications ranging from class 1, those with the most serious level of disability, to class 4, those with the least level of disability i.e. a lower limb amputee. Players judged to be on the border between two categories may be assessed as .5, for example 1.5, 2.5, and so on. During games, a team may only play with total players’ classifications adding up to a maximum of 14 points.

This increases to 15 points in the lower divisions of the National League.

Players new to the game, young or old, begin in the “development” category, generally playing in teams in the lower divisions. This is because players can become disabled at any age, and take time to develop the skills to play the game. However, the sport now has a junior league for 12-16 year olds and also a women’s league, both of which run separately to the National League.

Able-bodied players are also allowed to participate, at a classification of 5, in all competitions. This is because many teams struggle, particularly when first starting, to f enough disabled players to make a team, and call on family or friends to make up the numbers. They then develop a passion for the game, and want to keep playing.

Club Secretary and Coach Steve Spilka told me the team

No social division at united Colchester United, who, at the time of writing, is number eleven in the first division of the Coca Cola League, is one of several football clubs in the region that runs a number of programmes to encourage and promote the participation of people with disabilities in sport. The club’s community sport trust runs two clubs that compete in the FA Ability Counts National League.

There are four leagues comprising South-East and London, North-West, North-East and South-West, and Colchester’s teams compete in the South-East league against clubs from Ipswich, Brighton and Millwall. The club also boasts five players who have represented the club in international matches in both the England Cerebral Palsy squad and the England Learning Disabilities squad.

Numerous benefits The club competes in the Special Schools League, which is open to all clubs in Essex, and has been running since 2001. The league is currently comprised of four schools involving 65 pupils from 14 to 16 years old. The league operates throughout a six-week period from October to December, offering young people with special needs the opportunity to participate in structured six–aside games against other schools. They experience the benefits of social interaction with other disabled children, playing regular

by Andrew Saul

F

inance

ReDirect

Insurance Services

Insurance with a Difference Finance ReDirect is an innovative social enterprise, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA Ref: 306507) in respect to general insurance. It is the trading subsidiary of the registered charity Create (reg. no. 1078672) and distributes its profits have won three out of four games this season, and I’m sure we all wish them well throughout the rest! Steve asked me to mention that amputees are eligible to play, as he has found this a difficult group to encourage, so if anyone who is reading this is themselves, or knows someone who is, an amputee who may be interested, get in touch with Steve on the number below. He would love to hear from you!

i

Hereward Heat WBC Steve Spilka - Secretary 104 London Road, Chatteris, Cambs. PE16 6SF T: 01354 695560 E: sspilkawba@aol.com W: www.heatwbc.org.uk

back to the charity, who in turn distribute the profits as grants to local charitable and/or church projects.

Finance ReDirect has formed partnerships with quality insurance providers to be able to offer a comprehensive range of insurance services, which reflect the diverse needs of the organisations in the not for profit and business sectors.

ReDirect to Create

Recycling profits from your premiums back into Charity and Community Projects

competitive matches and the benefits to their health – both physically and psychologically – through the sense of achievement of being in a team that represents their school.

A range of ages and disabilities catered for One of only 12 in the country, Colchester United’s Disability Football Centre of Excellence offers completely free sessions, with kit provided, and is open to players with cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, visual impairment, deafness or amputated limbs.

Training takes place every Saturday on the astro-turf pitch at the Thurstable School and Sports College in Tiptree. The players are under the expert guidance of Sport and Equity manager Steve Bartlett and three other FA qualified coaches. There are teams at under-14, under-16 and under-21, as well as a girls only section with friendly seven-a-side matches planned against teams from Coventry, Fulham and Everton, which have all established their own Centres of Excellence.

Colchester Deaf FC has been playing in five- or six-a-side matches since June 2002.

Steve Bartlett, Sports and Equity Manager, Colchester They are currently looking United Community Sports Trust for more players to T: 01206 572378 form a full team of 11, E: disabilitysport@cucst.org.uk so if any readers are Peter Bishop interested, contact Peter Colchester United Deaf FC E: bishie2001@hotmail.com Bishop.

i

Finance ReDirect Limited, 2nd Floor, 6 St Paul’s Square, Bedford, MK40 1SQ Telephone/Fax 01234 358535/358643 E-mail: office@financeredirect.co.uk www.financeredirect.co.uk

Finance ReDirect is the trading company of Create Registered charity number 1078672

Finance ReDirect Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority to operate within the general insurance industry (FSA Ref: 306507).

InTouch

Fredi Fish

No 13 Winter 2005/6

11

Focus on: Disability Sports

by Andrew Saul

Fair Game

I

t would have been impossible, 15 or 20 years ago, for disabled athletes to have a professional career. However, times have changed, and such a career is now an option!

A recent event in Norfolk may be the first step for some from a generation of young, disabled athletes.

The event in question was the Norfolk Sport Ability Youth Games, in which around 150 competitors took part. One unique aspect of the games was that participants were not sub-divided according to levels of disability; instead, they all took part t While there were indeed gold, silver and bronze medals awarded to the winners, the main purpose was to give the chance to participate in such an event to people who previously have not had the chance to do so.

Games created by a bold move

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Email: training@ypda.org.uk Positively working to empower young people ©Young People’s Development Agency

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No 13 Winter 2005/6

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The event took place because the organisers – backed by Sport England, and a number of local authorities and other organisations (see below) – decided to take the bold step of abandoning the traditional Norfolk Youth Games in favour of a championship for youngsters with disabilities. The sports on offer included the full range of athletics disciplines, tennis, zone-hockey, swimming, basketball, archery, tabletennis, boccia and new age kurling, a form of traditional curling, but adapted so that it can be played indoors on any smooth, flat surface such as a sports hall, rather than on ice.

Made possible by patron and backers

Patron of the event was Danny Crates, a professional disabled athlete, who had ambitions of a rugby career until he lost an arm in a car crash in his early 20s. While he accepted that he would never get to play at Twickenham, he did not stop playing club rugby. Later he successfully switched to athletics, winning an 800 meter Paralympics gold last year. Perhaps in years to come some of the competitors in the Norfolk event will enjoy similar success.

Norfolk Sport Ability promotes various sports activities for disabled people in Norfolk, and has just produced its first newsletter. It is backed by Sport England, Breckland District Council, Broadland District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, Norwich City Council, North Norfolk District Council, South Norfolk District Council, Norfolk County Council, Contact: Jen White T: 01603 727888 Social Services and E: jen.white@norfolk.gov.uk Disability Sport Norfolk.

“Social Enterprises in the East of England [are] more likely to be engaged in sporting activities, 10% of social enterprises, compared to 4% nationally” Source: A Survey of Social Enterprise Across the UK, IFF Research Ltd for DTI / SBS, July 2005

Networks unlimited This section of InTouch is for you to promote and report on the activities of your organisation. Send news of staff changes, business developments and examples of smart thinking to Peter Durrant on 01223 262759 or send an email to humberstone@pop3.poptel.org.uk Networks Six social enterprise subregional networks are now running in the East of England.

To find yours, go to: www.seee. co.uk/ and click on “in your area” then select “networks”.

People Helen Baldry joined The Guild on 5th September and is responsible for communication and customer liaison. So in future, if you want to get in touch with them, Helen will be your first point of contact.

Helen says, “I’m looking forward to developing my k n ow l e d g e o f t h e s o c i a l enterprise sector and using my skills in communications and public relations to promote the work of The Guild”. T: 01603 615200.

Finance and funding NIKE seeks applications for the Bowerman Track Renovation Programme This programme provides matching cash grants to community-based, youthoriented organizations seeking to refurbish or construct running tracks anywhere in the world. A committee of Nike representatives meets to review eligible completed proposals quarterly in January, March, June, and September. For full details go to W: www.nike.com/ nikebiz/nikebiz.jhtml?page=26 &item=bowerman

Grant-Making Trusts CDrom is now available The latest version is now available, containing 4,500 UK trusts, giving a total of £2.6 billion a year. Available from

the Directory of Social Change, it costs £141 (or £105.75 for existing users). The updated print version – The Directory of Grant Making Trusts – with information on 2,500 trusts is also available, at a cost of £85.

W: www.dsc.org.uk/ or call 08450 77 7707 for details.

Interactive toolkit to help grant-funded projects manage an effective succession or exit strategy Economic Development and Regeneration consultants “Rocket Science” have been working with the Government Office for London to develop a new service to help projects funded through grants to manage an effective succession or exit strategy after the funding has been exhausted. The Readiness Assessment Tool focuses on practical forward planning and on developing one of four possible succession routes – mainstreaming, self-standing enterprise, seeking further funding or project closure.

W: www.rocketsciencelab.co.uk or W: www.gos.gov.uk/gol/ European_funding/?a=42496

Public procurement New National Opportunities Portal A new website will signpost the smaller public sector contracts that are available to bid for. The site was launched in late 2005, and is called the new National Opportunities Portal.

The aim of the portal is that it becomes the established way of procuring Government contracts for under £100,000. It is currently planned that basic access to the web portal will be free. The site will host a range

of opportunities in one place, will provide access to a wider range of goods and services from suppliers and intends to help achieve value for money.

You can register with the National Oppor tunities Portal to be kept informed of developments. W: www. supplyinggovernment.gov.uk/ newportal.asp

Social enterprise and procurement If you’re thinking about contracting with local author ities, a new guide to social enterprise and procurement may be useful.

To download click on ‘More for your money’ at W: www. socialenterprise.org.uk/Page. aspx?SP=1891

Financial institutions and credit unions New Investing in Communities website E E D A’s p r o g ra m m e f o r tackling depr ivation and inequality in the region, now has its own website, containing news and information on its regional programme. W: www. investingincommunities.org.uk

All credit to Ipswich & Suffolk Credit Union A recent report from Ipswich & Suffolk Credit Union has revealed the following plus points: • Permission gained to trade outside Ipswich – the FSA now allows them to accept members from anywhere in Suffolk • Increased membership to 1,060. Exceeded 650 visitors per month making deposits at collection points – an increase of 100 per month • Gained a grant to employ a Development Officer in Felixstowe for 2 years – their first location outside Ipswich • Issued more ‘emergency loans’ than ever before through their partnership with Citizens Advice Bureau and other partners • The biggest rise has been in r deposits due to 2 funders coming forward to offer loan

guarantee funds • They are now reducing homelessness in Ipswich and would like to offer a similar helping hand elsewhere in Suffolk – contact them if that is of interest to you • Gained a gift of energy efficient light bulbs to give away to members – saving energy as well as money • Reached a new record of junior deposits – over £7,500 currently held • Changed their loan policy to reward long-term savers with the result that they issued over £25,000 in new loans in a short time. Members who have saved for over 1 year can now borrow 4 times their savings, and members who have saved for over 2 years can now borrow 5 times their savings For more information about these or any other credit union matters contact Sally Chicken on T: 01473 690690.

Credit Union News round up from the region • B CU recently extended its area so people who live or work in outlying villages can now join, employs 3 f/t and 1 p/t staff, and has over 1,000 members • DFCU extended its common bond to cover the Dacorum area which includes Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, Tr i n g , B ov i n g d o n a n d surrounding villages. DFCU has over 500 members • Harlowsave CU merged 4 credit unions to become a town-wide credit union, with over 900 members, and 1 f/t and 2 p/t staff • Holdfast CU (with offices in Witham) employs 3 p/t staff, extended its Common Bond to those who live/work in the Braintree District and parts of Maldon District. Since doing so, membership has increased by 19% to over 700, loans increased by 44% and members savings by 22% • Ipswich and Suffolk CU extended its area to anyone who lives/works in Suffolk, has over 1,000 members and

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No 13 Winter 2005/6

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Networks unlimited employs 1 f/t and 2 p/t staff • Money Matters CU, Luton, is 10 years old, and has grown this year by 35% to 1,635 members, employing several staff

East of England Credit Union Forum The Forum will circulate a new e-bulletin about the progress of the credit union movement in the 6 counties of East England. To get on their list, E: ipscreditunion@tiscali. co.uk

Government announces £36 million growth fund The Government recently announced that £36 million will be allocated to the Financial Inclusion Growth Fund to support credit unions and other lenders. Credit unions will use this money to ensure there are high-quality but low cost forms of credit available for people with few options. More at W: www.abcul.coop

Toolboxes, toyboxes and useful stuff Making a difference together The twin themes of ‘measurement’ and ‘collaborative working’ explored in the 8-page Summer 2005 Raising the Ceiling Newsletter (get your copy now if you haven’t already done so from E: chris.dcvs@classmail.co.uk) come together elegantly in a recent report on both from the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales. Read it at W: www.lloydstsbfoundations. org.uk/impact_assessment. html

prose and art, making it the biggest and glossiest edition to date. The content varies from humorous poetry to poignant stories to inspiring artwork. If you would like to receive a free copy: E: helen@the-guild.co.uk

Partnerships and the Trust The Prince’s Trust have published a 60-page report and (separate) 10 step guide providing practical guidance on creating and maintaining effective partnerships. Free to download at W: www.princestrust.org.uk/partnership

Free Toolkit: what’s the worth and impact of your activities?

The New Economics Foundation have published the Proving and Improving Toolkit for social enterprise covering the knowledge, tools and resources to get your missiondriven organisation developing its quality and impact. See W: www.proveandimprove.org for free download of the whole pack.

Free Social Enterprise Business Planning Guide Published by Forth Sector in Scotland, in the same series is a legal toolkit, and materials on Funding & Finance and Marketing. Free to download but you need to register at W: www.sedi.info/index.php.

Creative Block?

Download the Creative Block!

As part of the East of England - Space for Ideas campaign, EEDA has released the Creative Block, a tool to help you change the way you think.

State of Mind – new community arts magazine State of Mind publishes contributions from people who have suffered mental health problems. The magazine gives a voice to society’s dispossessed; it is a platform for people who might never otherwise be heard.

The Autumn 2005 State of Mind is packed full of poetry,

14 InTouch

No 13 Winter 2005/6

Download the tool now from the Space for Ideas website, W: www.spaceforideas.uk.com

Rural social enterprises score with DEFRA The Department for E n v i r o n m e n t , Fo o d a n d Rural Affairs has produced a document setting out how social enterprise contributes to all five of Defra’s strategic priorities and how it plans to support the Social Enterprise sector.

W: www.defra.gov.uk/rural/ social-enterprise/default.htm

On consultants For a 17-page Guidance on finding, selecting and using Consultants, visit: www.setas. co.uk/upload/consultants/ Guide%20to%20consultants.pdf A t t h e S E TA S ( S o c i a l E n t e r p r i s e Tr a i n i n g a n d Support) website you’ll also find a national register of consultants to the social enterprise sector.

SEEE’s downloads page where you can access the standards in full W: www.seee.co.uk/default. asp?id=141

60 minutes to improved skills and knowledge Spend 60 minutes improving your skills & knowledge with these specially written modules on social enterprise. Simply register with i10, the East of England’s network that brings together universities and business, and take your pick from elements on enterprise & entrepreneurship, vision & mission, business planning and developing the path for a social enterprise. W: www.seee.co.uk/ default.asp?id=142 and click on the i10 link.

Be WISE, find out Find out about courses, networks and other support for social enterprise from Anglia Ruskin University’s WISE team.

Equigas and Equipower are offering a £10 Homebase gift voucher to all newcomers.

For those who do not know this organisation, and more on 0845 4560170, it enables people on low incomes to move away from exorbitant coin box charges for their gas and electricity to the same payment systems as you and me. Or join up on W: www.ebico.co.uk

Training and learning Social enterprise professional development standards Social Enterprise Partnership GB has taken on the task of developing national occupational standards for s enterprise development and for social enterprise advisers. The purpose of this work is to provide a framework for qualifications, help with preparing job descriptions, and give the sector a clear pathway for professional development.

To find out more W: www. sepgb.co.uk/ or go to

W: www.seee.co.uk/default. asp?id=139 and click on the WISE link

First ILM qualification for social enterprise training The Social Enterprise Partnership (SEP) is working with the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) to make available two new social enterprise training productsthe ILM Level 5 Award in Knowledge of Social Enterprise, and a new training course i n Un d e r s t a n d i n g So c i a l Enterprise. you can find out more about both products and SEP at W: www.sepgb.co.uk

Legislation Legislation providing for Community Interest Companies (CIC) Organisations wanting to become a CIC can now

Networks unlimited

Thanks to the following e-publications and organisations for allowing us to use some of their material above and for information on events: ABCUL, CCORNN, COVER, CRNE, NCVO, Nearbuyou, Raiser (Hertsmere CVS), SEC and SEN, Update. apply. The DTI has published 3 fact sheets explaining CICs at W: www.dti.gov.uk/cics/ . More detailed information, including model application forms, are available from W: www.cicregulator.gov.uk/.The CIC is one of two new legal forms proposed by the Strategy Unit review, Private Action, Public Benefit. The second is the ‘Charitable Incorporated Organisation’ or CIO, which will enable charities to become incorporated without having to also become a company, being introduced as part of the Charities Bill. For more information E: belinda. pratten@ncvo-vol.org.uk .

Diary Regional/National Managing a social enterprise An exciting new fully funded (free!) accredited training programme delivered in Essex

by Anglia Ruskin University, in Norfolk by The Guild and in

Suffolk by Suffolk ACRE. How can we tell if your new venture is too risky?, How can we keep your project going long-term?, How can we improve your marketing impact? If you have ever asked yourself these questions, then Managing a Social Enterprise is for you. Information at www. seee.co.uk/default.asp?id=139 Application form at W: www. wiseproject.org.uk

January 25th, 2006, England Regional Anti Poverty Networks meeting – organising a voice for poor communities in the England regions to influence policy, programmes and funding that affect poor communities.

Co m m u n i t y g ro ups are starting to meet within their re g i o n t o w o rk t o g e t h e r a n d s h a re e x p e r i ence of lobbying and influencing at regional and local level to bring more resources into poor communities and feed

their voices into national campaigning on poverty and social inclusion issues.

Contact Clare Caves to find out about meeting up in your region. For more information e m a i l C l a re Ca ve s a t E: eapn@cefet.org.uk

Cambridgeshire Social enterprise workshops

for your organisation, how to sell online, and how to create a design brief.

Dates: 19 January 2006, 23 February 2006, 21 March 2006 Cost: The seminar costs £20 (including VAT) per participant (free to Norfolk organisations).

M o r e o n W : w w w. n e a r b u y o u d e s i g n . c o. u k / sellingtechniques.php

Legal structures seminar

Organised by Business Link and Social Enterprise People (formerly CCDA).

25 January: Marketing at: Sa l va t i o n A r m y, Bo u rg e s Boulevard, Peterborough.

Cost per organisation per course is £20.00 plus VAT (one charge for up to three delegates). Includes buffet. T: 01480 846415 to book.

Norfolk Selling techniques and the web The Guild is running a course covering what a website can do

Finding the r ight legal structure for your group can be a daunting task. There seem to be so many options available, so what questions do we need to ask and how do we choose?

Tailored for social enterprises.

Duties of a director: 10am - 1pm 10th January 2006 Duties of a company secretary: 10am - 1pm 17th January 2006 At The Guild’s office in Norwich City Centre and fully funded by Business Link for Norfolk. To book on either course, T: 01603 615200 or E: services@the-guild.co.uk

Free Online Learning Modules for Social Enterprise Study online for 60 minutes and take away learning you can use in your organisation today!

• Social Enterprise & Social Entrepreneurs Looks at definitions, the political and economic context, and what it takes to be a social entrepreneur

• Social Enterprise – from Vision to Mission How to write a vision and mission statement, choose a legal structure, and base your business on your values

• Social Enterprise – Cunning Plans Why planning is important; the ingredients of a good social enterprise plan; setting objectives; managing finance

• Create the Future Path for a Social Enterprise Expectations, relationships & processes in social enterprises; the principles & methodology of social system design It’s free to get started on these modules – all you need to do is go to www.i10.org.uk, and register. Each module takes about an hour to complete, and on completion we ask you to fill in a simple feedback form. That’s all there is to it – so sign up for an online learning module today!

i10 is the East of England’s network that brings together universities and business The i10 network: East of England

Anglia Ruskin University, University of Cambridge, Cranfield University, University of East Anglia, University of Essex, University of Hertfordshire, University of Luton, Norwich School of Art & Design, Open University, Writtle College

www.i10.org.uk InTouch

No 13 Winter 2005/6

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Local Social Firm Receives National Social Enterprise Award Daily Bread wins £5,000 in the DTI Enterprising Solutions 05

At the 2005 Enterprising Solutions Award ceremony in London on 17th November, two of Social Firms UK’s members scooped awards for the part they’ve played in inspiring the social enterprise sector: • COPE in Shetland http://www.cope.ltd.uk • Daily Bread Cambridge http://www.dailybread.co.uk/camb Enterprising Solutions 05 – The National Social Enterprise Award This award recognises and champions the best social and community enterprises in the UK. Each year an increasing number of applications have been received which exceed the criteria of being innovative and dynamic enterprises.

The winners are from a wide range of sectors, and include both large and small businesses. Bryson House, as a Belfast based charity, works to alleviate deprivation and social deprivation throughout Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1906 and has changed with time. It has developed a portfolio of enterprises and does not receive core funding from the government. Paisley’s Kibble Education and Care Centre has always focused on the plight of young people in trouble, and more recently this has been achieved through enterprise units. Newlife Regeneration and Construction was recognised for giving people in deprived communities a second chance both through the regeneration building projects completed and the offer of employment on a “no questions asked” policy.

This year the overall winner was Greenwhich Leisure Limited, running 48 leisure centres across London, and focusing on staff, customers and financial sustainability.

Daily Bread representatives (left to right: Karen Anderson, Kitty Connell and Mark Ashton) receiving their Enterprising Solutions Award on 17th November.

Social Firms Eastern Region Contact Details

Social Firms seek to create good quality jobs for disabled people within supportive and successful businesses. Social Firms Eastern Region is working across the region to support these enterprises, as well as organizations aiming to become Social Firms, in conjunction with extensive resources offered by its national partner Social Firms UK (www.socialfirms.co.uk).

For further information about Social Firms please contact Karen (karen. anderson@sfer.org.uk) or Louise (louise.gilbert@sfer.org.uk).

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No 13 Winter 2005/6

Daily Bread Daily Bread (Co-operative) Cambridge Ltd was praised for its successful implementation of a triple bottom line return; not only is the company an independent, sustainable business but it also fulfils extensive social and environmental objectives.

This wholefood retail warehouse sells a wide range of allergy-free diet products, organic produce and Ecover detergents as well as nuts, dried fruit, flour and other unprocessed food products. The business continues to create successful employment for people with mental health problems.

T video clip that was shown to more than 150 people representing the social enterprise sector at the award ceremony illustrated this point in a positive and sensitive way.

Wholefood Planet In addition to its successful business activities in Cambridge, Daily Bread has recently been working with Social Firms UK to develop the Wholefood Planet licence venture.

There are new social firms developing in Birmingham, Edinburgh, the Cotswolds and locally in Norwich, through this licence programme. For information about Wholefood Planet please contact Karen.Anderson@sfer.org.uk and Louise.Gilbert@sfer.org.uk.