Social Enterprise
Research carried out by the Welsh Government illustrates that there are approximately 3,000 organisations carrying out social enterprise activity in Wales with a combined turnover of some £2.2 billion. They account for around 50,000 full and part-time jobs and over 100,000 volunteering opportunities across Wales.
Social Enterprises are dynamic businesses founded for a social and/or environmental purpose, reinvesting profit into the organisation or community in order to make a real difference within the communities they serve.
As the Welsh SEC resources reflect, social enterprises come in many shapes and sizes from large national and international businesses, such as The Big Issue and John Lewis, to small community based enterprises and charities, for example DOVE Workshop and Canolfan Gofal Plant Tiddlywinks Childcare Centre.
Trading is not just about buying and selling goods, it can also include:-
- hiring out facilities
- charging for services, such as training provision
Collaborative Communities
Securing a sustainable future for Third Sector Organisations & Social Enterprises
Our region has a flourishing Third Sector which contributes to our vibrant communities. We aim to secure its future through an exciting new programme of support to create sustainable organisations.
Neath Port Talbot CVS has joined together with the County Voluntary Councils in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Swansea and the County Councils in Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Swansea to form a unique partnership to combine resources for the success of the project. The partnership draws together expertise and experience to share best practice across the region. This project has been part-funded by the EU’s Convergence European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Assembly Government
The Collaborative Communities project will build on the excellent support already provided and offer advice and guidance in new areas such as:
- New skills to manage your organisation
- Ways to move from grants to trading
- Development of Social Enterprise
Be Enterprising
Do you have an exciting idea for a project, organisation or a Social Enterprise, but need some help and advice to get started?
Our team are ready to unlock this potential and help new ventures become a reality. Let us help you get those ideas off the ground.
Secure Your Future
Do you feel your organisation is ready to expand?
Do you want to become more sustainable and generate new income streams?
Would you like to increase your social impact or create more jobs?
Our locally based development officers will provide support in a wide range of areas such as:
- Developing business plans
- Legal structures
- Trading – moving away from grant dependency
- Market research and marketing plans
- Governance
- HR and good employment practice
- Assistance with premises
- Feasibility studies
- Financial management and budgeting
- Fundraising options and strategy
- Environmental sustainability
- Equal opportunities
- Tender readiness and procurement
Please contact your local support team or visit the Collaborative Communities website
Neath Port Talbot CVS – 01639 631246
Carys Miles – Sustainable Organisation Development Officer
Matthew Roberts – Sustainable Organisation Development Officer
MatthewR@nptcvs.org.uk
www.collaborativecommunities.org.uk
contact@collaborativecommunities.org.uk
Enterprising Communities Project
The Enterprising Communities project will provide practical support to Third Sector organisations to help them become more sustainable and generate new income. This includes providing information/advice on funding, governance and volunteer development as well as offering expertise around financial sustainability.
The project is funded by the Welsh Government and Convergence ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) funding. It is managed by WCVA and there is an Enterprising Communities Development Officer in each CVC.
The project will provide organisations with information and advice on funding, organisational management and volunteer development as well as offering expertise around financial sustainability. In practice this might mean advice on organisational structures and business plans or implementing quality assurance systems and good employment practices. The project will also help organisations work with the public and private sectors to maximise opportunities for commissioning and procurement, and work with organisations to identify new ways of generating income.
The services provided by Enterprising Communities are delivered through a project officer based at County Voluntary Councils. If your group would like support, please contact Vivienne James on 01639 631246 or email VivienneJ@Nptcvs.org.uk.
