SEW What’s Happening? – March 2019
Sharon Nanan-Sen
A lot has happened over the last 6 months in the world of Social Enterprise Wolverhampton. We have developed our Social Enterprise Wolverhampton (SEW) microsite which is full of useful resources and links https://sewolverhampton.com/ our Twitter account https://twitter.com/@SEWolverhampton and continue to promote SEW via WVSC’s newsletter: http://www.wolverhamptonvsc.org.uk/contact-us/newsletter/
We have targeted large and small social enterprises and start-ups and have 40+ organisations who have registered an interest in support. We have held approximately 30 sessions with groups via workshops and 1-1 meetings, on issues relating to legal structure and governance, funding and enterprise development. The participant evaluation data has been positive.
We are actively working with about 14 groups providing on-going information and advice on social enterprise and investment. 4 groups are being supported to develop propositions and get investment ready through accessing Enterprise Development Fund (EDF) and/ or the Reach Fund.
We have spent time engaging with groups which has helped us to build positive relationships and develop a strong cohort of interested organisations. We have identified that business planning, developing trading plans, writing propositions, developing social impact models and financial modelling/pricing are the main training needs.
We also supported an established social enterprise in the city to come together with a more newly formed CIC, to share good practice and co-deliver a shared learning session to other social enterprises.
In partnership with Big Society Capital, we delivered a Let’s Talk Good Finance event in January 2019 which 20 organisations attended. We have developed a good relationship with the Key Fund, our main partner, and have established a referral pathway with Social Investment Business.
Over the next six months, we plan to increase our work in bringing experienced social enterprises together with small social enterprises and start-ups. We also plan to hold a second social enterprise event, webinars and more workshops, targeting local centres, clubs, community groups and organisations.
Please contact me if you want to find out more or get involved:
Sharon Nanan-Sen, Social Enterprise and Investment Adviser on 01902 773761 or by email: snanan-sen@wolverhamptonvsc.org.uk
