HISEZ Fusion has now received its first applications and granted funding from two of its funding streams so far this year, with another in the pipeline. If you know any entrepreneurs or any schools interested in promoting young enterprise and an entrepreneurial spirit, please tell them about HISEZ Fusion. Our snazzy new leaflets arrived this month and look great. We've got information on two new avenues of business support and advice to share with you this month. And we'll be delivering the Just Enterprise workshop on Business Planning in Stornoway next month. Book your place using the link in the sidebar  ==>>>

Don't forget that through the Scottish Goverment's Just Enterprise programme, HISEZ can also help with any issues you are having in your social enterprise. From business planning and marketing to governance and board matters, and everything in between. Get in touch if we can help by phone 01463 715533 or email.



HISEZ FREE Networking Lunch
Community-led Care - Thursday 21 April
12.30-2.30pm Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall, Orkney

Join HISEZ and invited guests from HIE and the social enterprise sector for this free networking lunch in Kirkwall to discuss the future of community-led care. This event is particularly relevant to groups running, or looking to run projects for older people, or adults and young people with mental health issues and learning disabilities. 


Improving Highland Healthcare
NHS Highland are keen to develop a local network to work together on projects to improve healthcare services and products and ultimately the quality of lives. A recent example of such collaborative working was the Big Friendly Button technology project which brought together the social enterprise Dementia Friendly Communities, NHS Highland and a private company called Talking Medicines, on a project aimed at improving the quality of life for dementia sufferers. NHS Highland have a large network of potential partners and are experienced in successfully applying for project funding so would like to hear your ideas.  For further information or to discuss potential collaboration please contact Alan Whiteside, Innovation Consultant at NHS Highland on 01463 255087, mobile 077433 34585 or by email: alan.whiteside1@nhs.net 

Village SOS
Village SOS is a campaign that aims to inspire local community action, through supporting new, developing and existing community projects that benefit residents in rural communities throughout the UK.

Communities involved with Village SOS can learn from other communities across the UK who have been through a successful development process. Village SOS will partner your community up with a mentor, drawn from these communities, who has knowledge and skills relevant to your project. Mentors will provide between three and six days of support.

Projects involved with Village SOS can also receive around three days of free consultancy support to help them make progress. If it sounds like your community would benefit from participating in Village SOS please contact Toby Renouf on 0131 226 4949 or email: vsos@rocketsciencelab.co.uk 

The HIVE
The Hive is a UK-wide business support programme designed to help the start-up, development and growth of the UK’s co-operative and social enterprise sector.

It will be delivered by Co-operatives UK and the Co-operative Bank is investing £1.05 million in the three-year programme.

The Hive business support programme is designed to enable growth among the UK's £37 billion co-operative economy. The initiative will help people who intend to start or grow co-operative or community enterprises, using various online resources, training and advice. Follow this link to find out more.


SCVO VAT & Tax Workshop
27 April 9.30am-12pm - Fairways House, Fairways Business Park, Inverness IV2 6AA

This free event provides you with the opportunity to learn more about VAT and tax from Scott-Moncrieff, one of Scotland's leading independent firms of chartered accountants and business advisors. Book your place and find out more here.