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SEEE Express

Welcome to our latest newsletter for February.

Thanks to those who made our 'Week of Webinars' but don't worry if you missed it, we have recordings on all the topics on our website (see below).

We hope you will enjoy our round up of social enterprise news from across the East and nationwide.

Best wishes

Jane Thompson
Membership and Marketing Manager
SEEE
admin@seee.co.uk
Watch our webinars back here


Business Department says it has “massive interest” in social enterprise, but what next?

Article from Andrew O'Brien, SEUK, published 31 January 2022.

Social Enterprise UK Chair, Lord Victor Adebowale, launched the final report of his Independent Commission on Social Investment which attracted significant interest from social enterprises, social investors and the UK Government.

On the same day, the Social Economy Alliance (a grouping of bodies, including Social Enterprise UK, pushing for economic reform) held a Conference in association with think tank Bright Blue. The theme of the conference was, in anticipation of the Levelling Up White Paper due to be published this week, how the Conservatives could build a ‘One Nation’ economy in the wake of COVID.

You can watch the full Conference back on YouTube.
 

Minister for Business says BEIS has “massive interest” in social enterprise

The Conference kicked off with a keynote speech from the Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, The Rt. Hon. Greg Hands MP, on how the government saw the green agenda contributing to reducing regional inequality. In the Q&A, the Minister was asked by Rose Marley, Chief Executive of Co-operatives UK, why social enterprises were located in DCMS and not in his department, alongside other businesses. In response, the Minister said that BEIS had “massive interest” in social enterprise, but that sometimes it is better for an issue to be co-owned by a number of government departments.

On the one hand, it is good to see increasing recognition within government about the value of social enterprise. We’ve had increasing engagement with the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy over the past two years, and to have senior Ministers within the Department publicly express interest in social enterprise is good news.

However, despite this engagement, social enterprises still appear to be held back by the lack of a clear strategy from government about how to support the sector. DCMS, our home department, is supportive of social enterprise, but is hampered by its own lack of resources and influence. BEIS is supportive of social enterprise but does not ‘own’ the policy agenda, so it does not feel able to make decisions on the sector or develop a cross-government strategy.

Statements of “massive interest” are great, but until we get resolution to this problem (either DCMS gets the resources it needs to support social enterprises or BEIS takes control), we appear to be stuck in limbo. Theoretically supported by the Government, but with little to show for it.

 

Read Andrew's full article here including 'Levelling Up: Devolution and Money

Join the campaign to enable small businesses to go digital

The government is being asked to expand the #HelptoGrow Digital scheme so small businesses with less than 5 employees are eligible for it. The scheme provides grants to help small businesses go digital, but right now, over 750,000 small businesses are locked out (including, for example over 90% of Hertfordshire businesses). Including them could help boost the UK economy by billions and increase productivity and innovation. Please sign the petition today to expand the scheme and help UK small businesses: https://www.signforsmall.uk

Join a workshop on Self Management and empowering your teams

Looking to learn about #selfmanagement?

Join Paul Jansen for this free #workshop exploring how self management skills can help in a flexible working world, especially for #socialenterprises, charities, non-profit organisations in #Cambridge.

Further details and sign up here http://ow.ly/kCgE50HO0C1

Join our Coffee and Chat drop in sessions on the first Tuesday of each month at 11am. Join us for our next session on Tuesday 1st March at 11am
Dates and zoom links for Coffee & Chat

Socially minded events coming up...

Ready to network, learn and get inspired? Don't book your diary without the Pioneers Post roundup of social impact events coming soon – for social entrepreneurs, impact investors and all those working within the global impact economy. This round-up is updated regularly:
Events round up from Pioneers Post

Applications for the 2022 Cambridge Social Innovation Prize are now being accepted

The prize is awarded by Trinity Hall and the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation.

Winning the Cambridge Social Innovation Prize isn't just about the money. You also get a Cambridge Social Ventures business advisor and to be part of the community of other outstanding social innovators.

The prize is awarded by Trinity Hall and the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation.

Find out more & apply: https://lnkd.in/decDP5z

In The Social Ideas Podcast: Cambridge Social Innovation Prize - Kim Griffin, Kim shares how the £10,000 prize has enabled her to focus on the development of her social enterprise, the services she provides, and the future of a PhD and involvement in policy making.

Listen - https://lnkd.in/dE4zGyrx

Founder to Factory - develop your product in Peterborough

Looking to get started on developing your product?

Allia Future Business Centre has launched it's Founder to Factory programme in #Peterborough!

This 3-month programme is for small businesses and start-ups who are looking to get started on product development or are already in the process.

Working with our in-house product development specialist, you will be shown an accelerated product development process, from concept designs, to manufacturing your product. You will learn to conceptualise, develop, prototype, protect, manufacture, and fund your product.

Read more and apply here.

⚡ Do you have an idea for an ethical digital business? UnFound can help you make your idea a reality with a FREE 10-week business accelerator, tailored to your needs – now OPEN for applications 👉 https://bit.ly/3ni10ky

#ethicaltech #techforgood #coops

£250,000 Social Enterprise Accelerator Fund Launches in the Maldon District


Maldon District Council is working in partnership with Social Enterprise East of England (SEEE) to deliver a brand-new Social Enterprise Accelerator Fund.

Grants of up to £50,000 will be available to social enterprises, community focussed organisations and social entrepreneurs to enhance the economic, social and cultural life in the Maldon District. These activities will develop a resilient social economy for the benefit of residents and local communities. 

Ongoing support and advice will also be available from SEEE for organisations to work together in a local social enterprise network.

A Council Spokesperson said, “Our communities have been hit hard during the pandemic, but their resilience has shone through. This fund will support the growth of community focused enterprise and provide organisations with a catalyst to develop and grow further. By working with Social Enterprise East of England, we are drawing on recognised, industry expertise which will be invaluable.”

Debbie Lee, Managing Director, Social Enterprise East of England, said, “SEEE is delighted to be partnering with Maldon District Council to deliver this accelerator programme for social enterprises. The funding recognises the exciting and innovative way social enterprises have responded to societal challenges caused by the pandemic and comes at a time when the demand for services the sector is providing has never been greater. This, together with the support we will be providing not just to those awarded the funding but to other social enterprises in the District, has the potential to really make a difference for local people.”

For further information on the new fund and how to apply, visit www.seee.co.uk/maldon

Tell your story, demonstrate your mission, evidence your impact


Are you preparing to measure your social impact?
Have you made a start of measuring your outcomes but need some help?


How are you making an impact? Are you reaching out to people? Changing lives? Making a difference? Now is the time to capture all of this and demonstrate your success.

The Social Impact Measurement Toolbox from SEEE is open to all – whatever stage of the impact measurement journey you’re on.

Demystify social impact measurement!
  • A practical tool for you and your team – work on it together
  • Benchmark your impact – prove it and improve it
  • Tell your own stories and be in control of your own narrative
  • One-off Licence for up to 5 team members for only £180
Find out more about SEEE's Social Impact Measurement Toolbox

MEMBER OFFERS

Members of SEEE can get access to special offers, for example this month we're showcasing two offers for your business:

Populo is a social enterprise set up to provide quality, affordable HR support to small charities and social enterprises – helping them with their people issues.  Founder Sonia Wilson offers a free HR phone advice every Wednesday 10:00-12:00. Find out more and book here
 

ABC Life Support is a local Social Enterprise who specialise in delivering Physical and Mental Health First Aid training in the Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire area. We are running a number of courses over the coming months and would like to offer a 5% discount on our courses to fellow Social Enterprises.

If you would like to find out more please contact caroline@abclifesupport.co.uk quoting the reference SOCENT20 or browse courses at www.abclifesupport.co.uk


Have you got an offer for fellow Social Enterprises? Please get in touch with Jane Thompson at SEEE who can help market your business to our network across the East. Email admin@seee.co.uk
 
Road to Net Zero grants will support Norfolk and Suffolk businesses to access grants from £1,000 to £25,000 for projects that will deliver carbon saving reductions.

This is a pilot project, funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund from HM Government.

The grant can contribute up to 75% of eligible project costs.
Projects can be wide ranging and include, but not restricted to, energy efficiency, clean energy, supply chain engagement, behaviour change/education, reducing waste.

The scheme will also help create and enhance a business’s decarbonisation plans.

There is a limited pot of funding available, so we are looking for businesses to bring forward investment projects that will have a significant impact on their business, and grant applications will be considered by the panel on “first-come, first-served” basis.

To speak to the New Anglia Growth Hub’s Net Zero advisers and to apply for the scheme, call 0300 333 6536 or email info@newangliagrowthhub.co.uk or visit the website here

Allia Future Business Centre is welcoming applications for its Ideation & Validation programme, working to support small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs to develop their ideas and grow their businesses

Do you have a business idea but don’t know where to start? Allia’s 2 month Ideation and Validation programme in Peterborough and Cambridge is designed to help you plan out the early days of building a business, what you need to do to get set up for success and to identify if your idea has legs. More details & apply before 24 Feb 2022 here


PLUS... are you based in Cambridge?
 

Cambridge Green Business Grants – Deadline 5pm Friday 11 March 2022 (or sooner)

Calling Cambridge city businesses! Allia are working with Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce to manage Green Business Grants on behalf of Cambridge City Council. Businesses in Cambridge can apply now for a grant of up to £10,000 to help reduce their energy consumption, save money and improve their productivity. More details & apply before 5pm, 11 March 2022 here. 


Are you a Social Enterprise based in East Herts?

Are you a Social Enterprise located in the East Herts Council area which fall within any of the following legal types of social enterprise? Community Interest Companies (CICs), Companies limited by guarantee, a Charity with a trading subsidiary, and companies with a social purpose as written into their Memorandum and Articles of Association.
 
Launchpad 2 is offering 12 hours of FREE business support to East Herts based businesses! Would you like help with your Social Media, Sales, Empowering your people, project management or business Finance?

Help shape what support we offer by completing our short survey about your business and we will then get in touch about you joining the programme.
 
The programme is EU funded so there are some additional eligibility criteria to be met.
Your business needs to be:
  • Located in the East Herts Council area.
    • You may still be eligible if your business is registered outside of this area if you have a trading business location in East Herts.
  • Employ less than 250 employees in total.
  • Have a turnover less than €50 million.
  • Have a balance Sheet less than €43 million.
  • Not have had State Aid of €200,000 or more in the last 3 fiscal years.
 
If you wish to check whether your business is eligible please click the link below.
 
https://launchpad2.enterprisesupportalliance.com/eligibility/
 
Support will be tailored to the needs of your business wherever possible. If you have any questions about the programme, please contact us at
Launchpad2@enterprisesupportalliance.com
 
The ERDF Launchpad 2 – Tailored Business Support Programme is designed and delivered by Enterprise Support Alliance Ltd. Enterprise Support Alliance is a not for profit company that delivers business support workshops and mentoring on a wide range of topics.

Are you a Social Enterprise with a great offer for fellow #socialenterprise businesses? We're building our range of member offers - if you have something to offer our members get in touch - we can offer your business great promotion opportunities in return! E: admin@seee.co.uk


A quick round up of small but mighty news...

📰Tired of hearing about so much doom and gloom in the news? 🌞Well we have something that may be the uplifting you need. ➡️Sign up to SEUK's newsletter for some positive news about our members and their stories of triumph in this turbulent time. bit.ly/3bJIEl4 pic.twitter.com/opHG7ZoHhW

Congratulations to Community Dental Services CIC (CDS-CIC), operating throughout much of Central and the East of England, who won the Health and Social Care Social Enterprise Award at the UK Social Enterprise Awards. The award celebrated how the dentally led, employee-owned social enterprise responded to the challenge at the height of the covid pandemic, resuming patient care and opening some of the first Urgent Dental Care Centres in the country. The award also acknowledged how technology was rolled out at pace to support patient triage and oral health improvement programmes, particularly in the care sector, and community interventions such as donating toothbrushing kits to food banks and to homeless shelters.

Are you running a small charity, CIC or social enterprise? Join SeFolk every Wed 11:30am for #SocEntHour. Just include #SocEntHour in your Tweets and Replies to connect with Social Leaders all across the UK. FREE NETWORKING FOR YOU

🗺️Have you explored the new Good Finance UK fund mapper? 📍Search live funds and social investors based on your location. Find out more here

@butterflybooks is a #socent changing perceptions around what jobs are for girls and which jobs are for boys through children's books written to help reduce gender bias. Find out more in this #SocialEnterprise Story >> ow.ly/jp4F50HOq1k

Access SEEE's Webinars at any time to suit you: Learn about Community Businesses, understand how to start using Video Marketing, Learn how to Measure Making a Difference and be inspired to communicate your organisation by Learning how to Articulate your Impact and develop PR strategies for your purpose-led organisation. Watch for free on SEEE's website

Discover five fantastic @GoodFinanceUK podcasts from the last 12 months or so that provide insight and context for all things #SocialInvestment See the round-up here

The BuySocial corporate Challenge:
⭐️Helps corporates to engage with innovative suppliers, embedding sustainability & diversity into their core operations
⭐️Helps #socent suppliers grow their revenues & impact by tapping into corporate purchasing power
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