Social Firms UK

Need partners in order to bid for large contracts? More than the Sum is a £1.5m fund developed by NOMS CFO Programme, aimed at supporting the creation of enterprise based consortiums. The fund will provide technical and specialist support to help develop governance, legal and other structures and policies together with initial investment monies to develop the business model. The investment funding will be competed via a series of national, regional and local lots. A series of free regional events with a special workshop on consortia and a speed dating element to facilitate finding your perfect partners have been organised across the country. All events are 9.30-4pm and include lunch.

Following the successful launch of the Real Ideas Organisation’s (RIO’s) Social Enterprise Qualification (SEQ) at the House of Commons in January, its developers are on the hunt for SEQ training providers who can help them keep up with demand, by training SEQ mentors to deliver the Qualification across the UK.

The first stand-alone international qualification in Social Enterprise, SEQ is a new way to recognise and encourage young people and adults working for positive social change. By focusing on learning through doing, the Qualification develops learners’ understanding and experience of social enterprise, so that with the support of vital SEQ mentors, learners can discover how to balance people, planet and profit for themselves.

 Following the successful launch of the Real Ideas Organisation’s (RIO’s) Social Enterprise Qualification (SEQ) at the House of Commons in January, its developers are on the hunt for SEQ training providers who can help them keep up with demand, by training SEQ mentors to deliver the Qualification across the UK.

The first stand-alone international qualification in Social Enterprise, SEQ is a new way to recognise and encourage young people and adults working for positive social change. By focusing on learning through doing, the Qualification develops learners’ understanding and experience of social enterprise, so that with the support of vital SEQ mentors, learners can discover how to balance people, planet and profit for themselves.

Bikeworks is opening its second retail shop in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham on 22nd March. Located at 136 Shepherds Bush rd W6 this retail premises will support the social impact the organisation delivers across London. The 100 sq metre shop over 2 floors will offer maintenance repairs, recycled bicycles and parts, new bicycles, parts and accessories. It will also offer a live training space for trainees undergoing Bikeworks 3 months cycle in to work employment program. As a successful social enterprise Bikeworks see’s the business model of retail as the only way to offer a sustainable backbone to a growing enterprise in a growth sector.

Leading sector commentator says opportunities for Employee Ownership and Social Enterprise should not be missed by Remploy

The Government announced its response to the Sayce Review this week (7 March 2012). Remploy has also responded and states that Government has accepted the recommendations of the Sayce Review.

Sally Reynolds, co-founder and former chief executive of Social Firms UK, says that she welcomes the initiative to change a model which has become outdated and unviable over time, but that valuable opportunities will be missed if a ‘straight closure approach’ is adopted. She says:

Join NOMS (National Offender Management Service) at a series of FREE events on consortia building with the social enterprise sector.

“More than the Sum” is part of NOMS social enterprise programme to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in England participate in the delivery of services for ex-offenders by supporting the creation and development of consortiums.

Taking place in London, Bristol, Birmingham and Leeds, these events will:

• explain the programme objectives in more detail, • outline the time frame and actions • describe the technical and other support that will be offered to assist potential bidders. • facilitate initial networking opportunity • provide the opportunity to meet with prime providers and other specialists.

Patients and visitors are being encouraged to ask questions about their care in a new campaign, called 'Feel Free 2 Ask', from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The campaign launched yesterday will be using life-size cut outs of hospital staff , printed by Social Firm Graphic Design and Print CIC (GDPCIC), who have volunteered to be part of the campaign at the entrances of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and Cromer Hospital.

Anna Dugdale, Chief Executive, says: "We want all our patients to have a good experience when they come to hospital. Knowing early on about any concerns can help us to put things right and give patients and their relatives peace of mind.

 Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) & Lambeth Council visited Star Social Firm Lambeth ACCORD to mark global Social Enterprise Day on Thursday the 17th of November and got a taste of the Big Society in action.

Lambeth ACCORD is a leading London disability Social Firm that provides managed office space and a conference and training centre. This community resource centre acts as the ‘hub’ for a thriving diverse disability community in Brixton, South London and has been awarded the prestigious quality standard, Star Social Firm.

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATOR

£22,221 to £25,472 p.a. pro-rata 21 Hours/Week - Permanent

 Co-operative and Community Finance provide loan finance for co-operatives and community businesses. We are the longest established Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) in the UK, successfully combining risk lending with financial sustainability.

We are looking for a new Financial Administrator to join our Bristol office and provide accounting, administrative and clerical support to the staff team within a social finance lending environment.

From our Head Office in central Bristol you will be at the heart of the organisation and the CDFI industry, and have an important role within the co-operative movement. You will be central to the delivery of our service package and administrative and information systems to the staff team, the Board of Trustees, borrowers and client organisations.

 In the run up to Social Enterprise Day (17 November), Birmingham based social firm Citizen Coaching is celebrating the achievements of two employees, hoping to inspire thousands of young people looking for work or across the country.

With youth unemployment figures at their worst in nearly 20 years, Nate Sheridan, 25, and James Farrell, 23, were taken on by Citizen Coaching in 2009, both having been unemployed for more than six months.

Nate graduated from university with a Sound Engineering and Music Production degree in 2008, hoping to secure work in a recording studio. After several temporary positions, he eventually joined the increasing number of other young claimants struggling to even get an interview.