Training, Events and Support for Social Enterprises
SELNET is encouraging the development of the social enterprise sector by sharing best practice. It will organise events that will allow social enterprises to showcase their activities, increase their knowledge and networking opportunities.
The Lancashire Social Enterprise Action Plan has made money available to support social enterprises through training and consultancy grants.
SELNET Open Day and AGM 10th January 2007
Nearly 80 social enterprises attended SELNET's networking Conference at Lytham YMCA. It was followed by SELNET's first Annual General Meeting.
Speakers and Participatory Workshops:
Yvonne Sampson, Strategy Manager, responsible for Social Enterprise, North West Regional Development Agency
With the new ‘Social Enterprise Action Plan: Scaling New Heights’ just launched by Gordon Brown, and new funding available to RDAs from April 07 to support social enterprise, Yvonne updated us on the North West’s strategic agenda for social enterprise.
Nick Brooks, Lancashire Economic Partnership
LEP is responsible for developing the Lancashire Economic Strategy and works closely with the NWDA. Nick considered how social enterprise fits into the strategic economic framework in Lancashire.
David Dawes, Co-Director of the European Nursing Leadership Foundation
David tells it like it is. David was one of the youngest Chief Executives in the NHS, and is co-founder of ENLF, a social enterprise providing resources and development to the nursing community. He has published extensively and is a down-to-earth and inspiring speaker.
Workshops
John Cronin, Chief Executive of Fylde Coast YMCA
Last April, Fylde Coast YMCA won the contract to manage Wyre Borough Council’s leisure and sports facilities throughout the borough. They have also developed an impressive asset base, including the centre in which the conference is held. John took us through their recent successes, and the lessons they have learned.
Bev Mathieson, Development Manager, Mereside Gardening Services in Blackpool
An opportunity to learn about this self-sustaining social enterprise, operated under an SLA with Blackpool Council and a partnership with HMP Kirkham, providing weekly garden maintenance to 200 gardens, whilst also providing work experience to pre-release prisoners on a resettlement programme.
Graham Jones, Business Manager, Bootstrap Enterprises in Blackburn
The Care Network public/voluntary sector partnership in Blackburn with Darwen has facilitated the formation of a number of social enterprises in health and social care to meet Social Services commissioning targets. Graham will give an inside view of the Care Network and some of the social enterprises which have emerged from the partnership.
Annual General Meeting
A number of new and existing Board members were elected for the coming year and a new Chair and Vice Chair was elected.
Graham Jones (Chair) Bootstrap Enterprises, Blackburn
Peter Neill (Vice Chair) Groundwork Blackburn, Blackburn
Geoff Jackson Trinity Partnership, Clitheroe,
Janet Fraser REAL, Bacup
Christine Heaslewood Integrate (Preston & Chorley) Ltd, Preston
Ann Marie Wrigley New Era Enterprises (E. Lancs.) Ltd., Burnley,
Richard Stowe Brothers of Charity Services, Chorley,
Martyn Willcock S.E.C.T. Social Enterprise Consultancy & Training, Accrington
Clive Hirst Blackpool Enterprise CIC, Blackpool
Peter Cousins Brighter Futures Workshop Ltd, Skelmersdale
David Dawes European Nursing Leadership Foundation, Manchester
Sue Cooper Terracefields, Burnley
Gareth Nash Cooperative & Mutual Solutions
Voice 07 UK Conference 24th January 2007
SELNET had a stand at this excellent conference and we met with many social enterprises and procurers of services.
Following the event we had a request from a social enterprise in Leeds who are trying to contact similar schemes across Lancashire, to share best practice and identify opportunities for working together. If you offer a similar service they will be pleased to hear from you.
Resource Efficiency project
Lancashire County Developments Ltd in conjunction with Lancashire County Council’s Environmental Policy and Waste Management Teams, have been working with Lancashire Business Environment Association and SELNET to develop a resource efficiency project for Social Enterprise organisations across Lancashire.
This project helps Social Enterprises improve their own resource performance in terms of energy and water usage, waste generation, disposal and production methods. It will also support the financial viability of the organisation by identify savings through actions which will minimize the cost of resources and generate bottom line savings.
For more information contact SELNET here.
Visit and Learn Events
SELNET will from time to time organise visit and learn events to social enterprises that have developed trading opportunities or income generation to ensure their sustainability. We strongly recommend that you take advantage of these visits to build your support network and also to identify how your enterprise could grow and develop. Current ones will be featured in the latest newsletter.
