More on Social Enterprise
If your charity, voluntary organisation or community group is thinking about how it can diversify its income sources, perhaps through trading, you'll find that the NCVO's Sustainable Funding Project has a wealth of information and guidance. Community First is delighted to be working in partnership with the Sustainable Funding Project and in 2009 we will be offering workshops for voluntary organisations with an idea about earning income which they want to pursue. In the meantime, check out the website at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/sfp/ and sign up for the newsletter.The Social Enterprise Coalition is a national organisation which promotes social enterprise. Their website is at www.socialenterprise.org.uk
Amongst other activities, the Social Enterprise Coalition runs the Social Enterprise Ambassadors Programme, which is funded by the Government's Office of the Third Sector (OTS). This is a function of the Cabinet Office and you can find out more about the government's enthusiasm for and commitment to social enterprise at http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/social_enterprise.aspx
Partners for Social Enterprise is made up of a wide range of private, public and voluntary sector partners and supports social enterprise across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire. See www.socialenterprise.org.uk for more information.
Social Enterprise West Midlands is the regional network and their website provides, among other things, information on training and events around the West Midlands which focus on social enterprise. Find out more at www.socialenterprisewm.org.uk
In addition to Community First's pages on organisational structures, you'll find that Business Link can help when it comes to choosing the right legal structure for your social enterprise. They have a useful framework showing the key features of different legal structures on their website at www.businesslink.gov.uk/Taxes_and_Returns_files/LegalStructures.doc
Charities exploring a social enterprise approach need to be aware of what they can and can't do. The Charity Commission's range of publications will answer any questions and the key ones in this respect are CC35 - Trustees, trading and tax and CC37 Charities and Public Service Delivery. These can be downloaded from the Publications section of the website www.charity-commission.gov.uk
If your interest is in health and social care, try the national Social Enterprise Network, which has a specific focus on social enterprise in these areas. Their website is at www.networks.nhs.uk/networks.php?pid=155
Social enterprises have distinctive governance challenges which are explored in research commissioned by the Governance Hub, in partnership with the Social Enterprise Coalition and conducted by the Open University
Available from NCVO Publications, For Love and Money explores governance practices and support needs of social enterprises. Order from
www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/publications/
or download the executive summary below.
Finally, if you're curious about what kinds of things social enterprises actually do, try http://www.nearbuyou.co.uk/ to see who they are and what they're up to!